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Full  of  Original  ErtffrctvinffS^  f/'OM  Designs  by  i 

ILLUMINATED   COVEHS. 


EDUCATION  DEPT 


NIGHT-SHADE  ..............  25 


THE  BUCKEYE  RANGER  ......   25 


NE¥  LETTEB-¥BITEB, 

FOR   THE 

USE   OF  LADIES: 


EMBODYING 


LETTERS  ON  THE  SIMPLEST  MATTERS  OF  LIFE, 


AND   OX   VARIOUS   SUBJECTS, 

WITH    APPLICATIONS    FOR    SITUATIONS,    ETC. 
AND    A    COPIOUS 

APPENDIX  OF  FORMS  OF  ADDRESS,  BILLS,  RECEIPTS. 

AND   OTHER   USEFUL    MATTER. 

COMPILED  FHOM  THH  BEST  PREVIOUS  WOBK3  ON  THE  SUBJECT,- 

WITH  CONSIDERABLE  NET7  ADDITIONS,   HINTS 

O.<    STYLF     ^TC.,   ETC. 


NEW    YOKK : 
FfSEDEEIO  A.  BBADY,  PUBLISHER,  No.  22  ANN  STBEET. 

1867. 


JSDIICATION  DEPT. 


,  •• 


PREFACE. 


IN  the  present  clay  when  education  is  so  rapidly  pro- 
gressing, a  superior  work  on  the  subject  of  Letter  Writing 
is  obviously  needed.  The  old  works  of  the  kind  were 
obsolete  in  diction,  exaggerated  and  unnatural — frequently 
to  a  ludicrous  excess — in  their  thoughts,  and  the  topics 
upon  which  they  professed  \o  give  specimens  were  not 
well  chosen.  To  illustrate  this  fact  by  example,  the 
epistles  in  the  old  Letter  Writers  smack  rather  of  Sir 
Charles  Grandison's  days  than  our  own,  and,  although 
often  entertaining,  they  are  too  high-flown  for  common 
life,  without  being  refined  enough  to  suggest  ideas  of 
legitimate  letter-writing  to  the  educated  person. 

Before,  however,  entering  into  the  character  of  the 
present  work,  the  editor  feels  it  incumbent  on  him  to  state 
his  impressions  as  to  the  extent  to  which  such  publications 
are  really  useful,  and  how  far  their  use  or  abuse  may  affect 
the  possibility  of  their  readers  becoming  good  or  bad 
correspondents. 

It  is  impossible  that,  even  were  ten  thousand  letters 
collected  together,  they  would  furnish  epistles  suited  to 
every  exigency,  even  during  a  single  year  of  an  ordinary 

M118386 


iy  PREFACE. 

person's  life.  So  much  must  depend  upon  the  character 
and  position  of  the  person  to  whom, — on  the  nature  of 
the  circumstances  under  which, — and  on  the  humor  and 
disposition  in  which  we  write,  that,  were  eveiy  letter, 
from  Cicero's  time  to  Sir  Thomas  Moore's,  to  be  pressed 
into  our  service,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  precise  one  we 
really  wanted  would  be  forthcoming. 
;  Good  letter-writing  is  one  of  the  mainsprings  of  busi- 
ness, and  one  of  the  strongest  connecting  links  of  common 
life.  To  write  a  business  letter,  and  to  write  a  familiar 
one,  require  as  different  qualifications  as  to  enter  a  draw- 
ing-room and  to  knock  at  one's  own  street-door.  Let  us 
try  to  point  out  what  these  qualifications  are. 

Tact  is  equally  necessary  in  both,  but  tact  of  a  different 
character.  In  writing  to  a  man  of  business,  'brevity  be- 
comes literally  "  the  soul  of  wit,"  and  true  tact  will  teach 
us  three  things ;  first,  never  to  waste  time  in  more  com- 
pliments than  are  demanded  by  the  common  courtesy  due 
from  one  man  to  another ;  secondly,  never  to  say  anything 
that  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  subject;  and  thirdly, 
always  to  say  all  that  the  subject  really  requires,  and  to 
say  that  clearly.  A  letter  of  ten  lines  will  often  fulfill  all 
these  conditions,  when  a  lengthy  epistle  will  bring  back 
an  impatient  wish  to  "  know  the  meaning  of  your  com- 
munication of  the  — th."  In  wiiting  letters,  we  ought  to 
consider  that  we  may  be  wasting  another  person's  time 
more  precious  than  our  own  in  the  mere  operation  of  read- 
ing, to  say  nothing  of  understanding  and  replying  to 
them.  But  let  us  always  remember,  that  it  is  possible  to 
be  brief  and  to  the  purpose,  without  being  bearish  or 
uncourteous. 

Tact  in  familiar  writing,  and  in  some  half-busiiiess-half- 
tfamiliar  correspondence  (which  enters  constantly  into  our 


PREFACE.  V 

cvery-clay  life)  consists  in  a  clear  and  ready  interpretation 
of  our  thoughts  and  wishes,  as  well  as  in  a  prompt  and 
graceful  understanding  of  those  of  another.  Here  we  arc 
less  fettered  by  the  pressing  calls  of  time  already  over- 
employed  ;  we  are  enabled  to  speak  on  paper  (which  is  the 
great  and  true  perfection  of  letter-writing),  and  we  mingle 
the  gentler  feelings  of  home  associations  with  the  sterner 
calls  of  duty.  But  tact  is  no  less  wanting  under  these 
circumstances.  Who  would  write  to  a  child  at  school,  to 
a  friend  just  married,  or  to  a  dignitary  of  the  church,  all 
in  the  same  terms  ?  One  may  be  familiar  with  all  three. 
The  dignitary  may  be  the  very  venerable  gentleman  who 
gave  the  nuptial  blessing  to  your  cousin  whom  you  are 
congratulating,  and  he  *nay  likewise  have  stood  godfather 
"to  the  child  to  whom  you  are  sending  youi  own  blessing 
and  a  cake ;  but  surely  he  will  very  reasonably  expect  to 
be  addressed  with,  at  all  events,  a  more  subdued  familiar- 
ity, than  as  if  he  had  formerly  been  your  schoolfellow  at 
cricket,  or  had  just  distinguished  himself  by  a  precocious 
entrance  into  Propria  qiici}  incwibus  ! 

And  even  on  the  most  familiar  occasions,  and  in  ad- 
dressing the  most  familiar  friends,  this  tact  will  aid  us  in 
not  a  few  material  p«ints.  It  will  prevent  us  mistaking 
boisterous  familiarity  (and,  too  often,  slang  and  vulgarity) 
for  heartiness — carelessness  in  grammar  for  freedom  of 
style  (a  mistake,  unhappily,  not  confined  to  letter-writers 
only),  and  will  give  a  refinement  and  gracefulness  whicrh 
enhance  even  the  most  tender  passages  of  love  and  friend- 
sin  p. 

Kow  it  is  candidly  to  be  confessed  that  the  art  of  ac- 
quiring this  tact  (which  is  little  else  than  the  whole  art 
of  letter-writing),  is  one  of  time,  trouble  and  difficulty. 
The  earlier  it  be  commenced,  the  better;  but  there  are 


yi  PREFACE. 

many,  whose  acquaintance  with  the  world  at  large  begins 
late  in  life — perhaps  never  begins  at  all,  and  from  such 
persons  much  cannot  be  expected.  A  regular  corresponi 
dence  with  those  who  themselves  write  well  is  unques^ 
tionably  the  surest  means  of  attaining  this  end,  and,  next 
to  it,  the  frequent  perusal  of  such  letters  as  form  a  part — - 
and  a  charming  part — of  the  writings  of  our  best  authors. 
To  those  who  possess  the  opportunity  of  cultivating  both 
or  either  of  those  resources,  the  examples  contained  in  the 
following  pages  can  teach  little,  excepting,  perhaps,  the 
art  of  saying  plain  things  in  plain  words,  and  being  able 
to  say  no  more  than  is  necessary  upon  a  trifling  subject — 
a  matter  which  a  great  many  very  clever  people  find  more 
difficult  than  they  are  willing  to  confess. 

As  to  letters  on  courtship,  matrimony,  and  such  like 
matters,  the  editor  candidly  confesses  that  he  should  feel 
little  sympathy  with  any  gentleman  who  received  sprinted 
circular  in  answrer  to  an  address  taken  from  a  printed 
letter.  Had  he  consulted  his  own  inclinations,  he  would 
probably  have  excluded  any  attempts  to  deal  with  such 
matters  (where  befitting  writing  can  only  spring  from  the 
deepest  recesses  of  the  human  heart) ;  but,  in  deference 
to  custom,  he  has  prepared  some  specimens,  and  selected 
a  few  others,  which  he  trusts  will,  at  all  events,  not  lead 
his  readers  to  any  of  the  display  of  folly  or  misplaced 
romance,  which  too  frequently  form  painfully-ludicrous 
episodes  in  the  earlier  acquaintance  of  the  two  sexes.  A 
manly  and  honorable  feeling  towards  the  objects  of  our 
affections  will,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  always  suffice  to  prompt 
its  honest  expression,  without  running  into  bombast,  ex- 
travagant adulation,  or  unreasonable  and  absurd  pro- 
testations. 

But  there  is  a  class  of  people  whose  wants  are  likely  to 


PREFACE.  YU 

be  greater,  and  whose  interest  has  been  more  immediately 
consulted  in  the  following  pages,  viz:  clerks,  servants, 
sailors,  and  others,  whose  education  may  be  very  slight, 
but  who  may  at  the  same  time  wish  to  be  able  to  express 
themselves  clearly,  and  to  prefer  something  like  an  Eng- 
Ksh  diction  to  the  vulgarity  which  a  little  pains  and  care 
might  avoid :  letters  referring  to  obtaining  a  character, 
soliciting  the  recommendation  to  a  situation — letters  from 
sailors  at  sea,  from  relations  at  the  gold-diggings,  and  on 
such  like  matters, — will  be  found  in  this  little  volume, 
and  may,  it  is  hoped,  frequently  prevent  a  good  deal  oi 
hesitation  and  wondering  "  what  to  write,  and  how  to 
Write  it." 


I  will  now  endeavor  to  point  out  a  few  features  pecu- 
liar to  female  correspondence,  which  I  hope  may  bo 
thought  appropos  of  the  subject. 

It  were  to  be  wished  that  more  attention  were  paid  to 
the  subject  of  letter- writing  in  our  national  and  district 
schools.  In  the  present  day,  when  ignorance  is  deserv- 
edly at  a  discount,  and  when  so  much  is  expected  of 
every  one,  even  in  a  humble  position  of  life,  there  is  no 
reason  why  the  letters  from  one  servant  to  another,  or  the 
application  for  a  situation,  or  answer  to  an  advertisement, 
should  only  furnish  so  many  examples  of  outrageous 
grammar  and  absurd  diction.  A  habit  of  expressing 
oneself  distinctly,  though  without  pretension,  ought  to 
be  inculcated  in  every  such  establishment,  and,  where  the 
difficulties  of  spelling  and  reading  have  once  been  con- 
quered, there  will  be  little  difficulty  in  enabling  the  pupil 
to  acquire  such  simple  forms  of  correspondence  as  are 
necessary  to  the  ordinary  circumstances  of  her  career. 


Vill  PREFACE. 

Many  such  letters  have  been  inserted  in  the  present 
work,  which,  it  is  believed,  will  be  found  useful,  not  only 
to  female  servants  and  others  of  the  lower  class,  but  to 
the  pupil-teachers  and  governesses  who  are  chiefly  con 
cemed  in  their  instruction.  Some  experience  of  the  sys- 
tem pursued  in  many  ward,  and  district  schools  leads  tliQ 
editor  to  the  conclusion  that  the  useful  is  too  frequently 
sacrificed  to  the  superficial,  and  that  a  knowledge  of 
doubtful  Egyptian  chronology  is  of  much  less  importance 
than  the  power  of  being  able  to  apply  for  a  situation, 
answer  an  advertisement,  or  deal  with  any  other  matter 
of  common  life,  without  doing  it  in  a  style  almost  con- 
demning the  fitness  of  the  candidate  on  the  score  of  outre 
ignorance. 

In  reference  to  the  more  polite  correspondence,  I,  of 
course,  do  not  suppose  it  can  be  of  any  great  use  to  those 
whose  personal  gifts  have  been  carefully  improved  by 
education,  and  whose  daily  mingling  in  good  society 
gives  that  "  true  ease  in  writing, "  which,  as  Pope  says, 
"  comes  by  art,  not  chance."  Nor  will  the  accomplished 
reader  of  Madame  de  Genii s,  or  Madame  de  Sevigny's 
letters,  to  say  nothing  of  such  correspondence  as  is  found 
in  the  works  of  our  female  tourists,  or  in  the  writings  of 
Madame  D'Arblay  or  Lady  Rachel  Russell,  seek  such  in- 
different aid  as  this  volume  can  present.  But  to  many, 
whose  opportunities  have  been  less  brilliant,  a  fewr  sug- 
gestions may  be  found  which  may  prevent  being  at  a  loss 
how  to  begin,  or  how  to  state  a  particular  topic,  and 
which,  if  net  leading  to  the  production  of  a  first-rate 
epistle,  may  at  all  events  prevent  anything  like  positive 
awkwardness  or  inelegance. 

To  the  young,  moreover,  whose  zeal  (especially  in  some 
matters  touched  upon  in  the  following  letters)  is  apt  to 


on 'run  their  discretion,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  book 
w'll  be  even  more  useful.  Care  has  been  taken  to  blend 
scrupulous  delicacy  with  such  natural  warmth  of  expres- 
sion as  seemed  warranted  by  the  subject,  and  without 
which  all  correspondence  must  sink  into  stale  and  lifeless 
matter-of-fact.  Having  experienced  revision  at  the  hands 
of  one  or  two  ladies  competent  to  judge,  the  editor  feels 
certain  that  the  letters  here  given  are  at  least  free  from 
impropriety ;  and  that,  if  not  meeting  the  precise  and 
delicate  shades  of  every  circumstance  connected  with 
affairs  so  peculiar  in  their  nature,  they  may  still  be  used 
as  safe  examples,  and  as  being  free  from  the  affected  sen- 
timentalism  and  morbid  affectation  too  frequently  found 
in  correspondence  on  such  matters. 

The  following  story  and  remarks,  from  the  pen  of  an 
accomplished  American  authoress,  form  a  not  inapt  con- 
clusion to  this  preface,  especially  as  far  as  its  younger 
readers  are  concerned: 

"  Mr.  Robinson  was  very  fond  of  children,  and  used  to 
render  himself  very  familiar  with  them,  by  adapting  his 
conversation  to  their  capacities,  and  joining  heartily  m 
their  little  sports ;  consequently,  they  were  much  attached 
to  him.  In  the  midst  of  his  playfulness,  however,  he 
never  let  slip  an  opportunity  of  throwing  out  some  hint 
that  might  be  useful  to  them  in  after  life.  Among  his 
little  favorites  were  two  fine  boys,  sons  of  a  much  esteemecl 
member  of  his  congregation.  The  elder,  named  John, 
was  about  ten  years  old,  and  the  youngest,  Robert,  about 
eight.  On  one  of  Mr.  Robinson's  visits  to  their  father, 
Robert,  being  told  of  his  arrival,  came  bounding1  into  the 
room,  and,  as  usual,  jumped  upon  his  knee,  when  they 
entered  into  the  following  dialogue  : — 

"Mr.  #.— Well,  Robert,  so  you   have  taken  your  old 


X  PREFACE. 

seat ;  but  Low  is  it  my  other  knee  is  unfurnished  ? 
Where  is  John  ? 

»  R. — O  sir,  John  is  gone  to  New  York. 

'*  Mr.  R.-  Indeed  !  how  long  has  he  been  gone  ? 

u  R.—  More  than  a  fortnight,  sir. 

i(  Mr.  R. — How  many  letters  have  you  written  to  him  ? 

U7?.— ISTonc,  sir. 

11  Mr.  E.—  How  is  that? 

u  R. — Because  I  do  not  know  how  to  write  a  letter,  sir. 

"  Mr.  R.— But  should  you  like  to  know  how  ? 

u.7?. — O  yes,  sir  !  very  much  indeed. 

"  Mr.  R. — Then  suppose  you  and  I,  between  us,  try  to 
cook  up  a  letter  to  John,  shall  we  ? 

"  R.—  O  dear,  yes,  sir,  if  you  please  ;  I  should  so  much 
like  to  do  that. 

"  Mr.  R.— Well  then,  let  us  begin,  "  Saucy  Jack  ;''  will 
that  do  ? 

"  R. — O  dear  no,  sir ;  I  should  not  like  to  say  that 
at  all. 

"Mr.  R.— Why  not? 

u  .R. — Because  that  would  be  so  rude,  sir. 

u  Mr.  R. — Let  U3  try  again :  "  My  dear  Brother ;"  will 
that  do  ? 

u  R.  —  O  yes  !  nicely,  sir. 

"  Mr.  R.~-  Y/ell,  then,  now  let  us  go  on,  u  Last  Thursday 
half  Cam  bridge  was  burnt  down,  and — 

"  R. — O  no,  sir  !  that  will  never,  never  do. 

"  Mr.  JR.— Why  won't  it  do  ? 

"  7£. — Because  it  is  not  true,  you  know,  sir ;  there  has 
not  been  any  fire  at  Cambridge. 

"  Mr.  R. — Then  suppose  we  alter  it  to  "  .Last  night  our 
taWy  cat  had  three  kittens"  That  is  true,  you  know,  be- 
cause you  told  me  it  just  now. 


PltEFACE.  Xi 

"  R.  (hesitatingly). — Y-e-s,  sir,  it  is  true  ;  but  I  Should 
not  like  to  write  that. 

"  Mr.  It.  -  But  as  it  is  true,  why  should  you  not  like  to 
write  it  ? 

'*  R. — Because  I  do  not  think  it  worth  putting  in  a  letter, 
sir. 

u  Mr.  R. — O  ho!  then,  if  I  properly  understand  you, 
friend  Robert,  you  think  that  when  we  write  letters  to 
0111  friends,  we  should,  in  the  first  place,  never  bo  rude  ; 
secondly,  that  we  must  never  say  what  is  not  true;  and, 
thirdly,  that  we  must  never  tell  them  what  is  not  worth 
knowing.  Am  I  right  ? 

*'  R. — Yes,  sir ;  if  I  were  to  write  a  letter,  I  should  try  to 
think  of  all  this. 

4i  Mr.  .R. — Then,  my  clear  boy,  you  must  never  again  tell 
me  that  you  don't  know  how  to  write  a  letter ;  for  I  as- 
sure you  you  have  a  much  better  notion  of  letter-writing 
than  many  people  who  are  five  times  your  age." 

Perhaps  it  will  be  worth  while  to  say,  in  addition  to 
the  above  rules,  or  rather  as  an  application  of  the  second 
rule,  not  quite  obvious  at  first  sight,  yet  which  is  particu- 
larly applicable  to  the  class  of  persons  to  whom  these  hints 
are  addressed,  "  never  express  more  than  you  feel."  Young 
ladies  are  apt  to  express  themselves  too  warmly,  and  their 
expressions  on  paper,  of  ardent  and  unalterable  attach- 
ment, sometimes  outlive  the  thing  expressed,  and  form  a 
standing  reproach  to  their  fickleness,  coldness,  or  insin- 
cerity. 

It  is  a  pity  that  some  young  people  make  a  formidable 
task  of  writing  a  letter,  and  that  others  very  unnecessarily 
and  uselessly  blot  many  sheets  of  paper,  and  incur  or  im- 
pose much  needless  expense  in  postage  for  the  conveying 
of  empty  compliments,  unmeaning  professions,  and  trfling 


details.  Both  classes  would  improve  themselves  by  put- 
ting letter- writing  upon  its  natural  and  proper1  footing — a 
mode  of  communication  with  our  friends  or  correspon- 
dents, not  as  a  trial  of  skill,  or  a  display  of  fine  words 
and  pompous  expressions,  but  the  communications  of 
•what  we  really  think,  and  feel  and  wish.  It  might  cor- 
rect both  reluctance  and  excess  to  accustom  ourselves  to 
inquire,  "What  is  the  occasion  of  my  writing  a  letter ?'' 
If  it  be  business,  there  will  be  little  danger  of  expressing 
what  we  wish,  or  of  expressing  more  than  we  need. 
Such  letters  will  not  be  written  for  the  mere  pleasure  of 
writing ;  neither  will  they  be  dreaded  or  postponed  for 
want  of  something  to  say.  But  the  occasion  is,  absence 
from  a  parent,  a  brother,  a  sister,  or  a  really  beloved 
friend  ;  and  is  there  any  reluctance  and  difficulty  in  wri- 
ting to  them  ?  Should  we  pass  hours  of  silence  in  their 
presence  for  want  of  something  to  say  ?  or  do  we  pass  the 
hours  of  absence  without  thinking  of  them  ?  If  either 
were  the  case,  it  would  argue  a  lamentable  want  of  affec- 
tion for  friends  so  near;  if  not,  why  should  there  be 
greater  difficulty  in  writing  than  in  speaking  our 
thoughts  ?  On  the  other  hand,  to  prevent  filling  the  let- 
ter with  trifles,  and  omitting  things  of  importance,  it 
might  be  well  to  imagine  that  we  were  to  have  an  inter- 
view with  the  absent  friend,  but  that  it  must  be  limited 
within  the  few  minutes  occupied  in  reading  a  letter ;  we 
should  then  think  first  of  the  things  most  needful  and  im- 
portant to  be  said,  and  secure  them,  leaving  all  of  inferior 
moment  to  take  their  chance.  Now,  just  follow  this  plan 
in  letter -wilting;  say  in  few  and  simple  words  the  things 
most  important  to  be  said  ;  then  things  of  minor  import- 
ance, which  yet  may  be  interesting.  If  time  and  paper 
allow,  put  them  all  in ;  if  not,  leave  out  the  most  trifling. 


PREFACE.  XI 11 

If,  on  the  other  hand,  all  is  said,  make  a  close,  and  do 
not,  for  the  sake  of  filling  your  sheet,  drawl  on  when  you 
have  nothing  to  say.  A  letter  written  on  these  principles 
wi-1  neither  disgrace  the  writer,  nor  disappoint  the  re- 
ceiver. 

For  the  convenience  of  all  classes,  forms  of  address  to 
persons  of  high  social  station  or  professional  position, 
have  been  added,  together  with  some  forms  of  receipts, 
promissory  notes,  and  other  such  matters,  the  utility  of 
which  admits  of  no  question. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

Arranged  under  the  respective  subjects  of  which  the  Letters 
hereafter  treat. 


APPLICATION  for  relief  or  contributions,  Letter  31,  32. 

Answers,  33,  34;  for  the  admission  of  a  girl  into  a  school,  3& 

Birthday,  congratulations  on,  9;  answer  to  ditto,  60. 

Books,  loan  of,  58;  answer,  39. 

Bridesmaid,  asking  for,  78,  89;  answer,  79,  90. 

Coal  and  Blanket  Club,  application  for,  81. 

Companion,  application  for,  24;  answer,  25. 

Commission  to  a  friend,  36. 

Cook  or  servant  of  all  work,  inquiry  respecting  character,  18;  answer, 
19,  20. 

Condolence,  letters  of,  84,  85,  83. 

Death,  announcement  of  a  sister's,  97. 

Directions,  general,  as  to  letter- writing,  page  117. 

Education,  on,  62;  answer,  64. 

Farmer  [see  under  MATKIMONIAL]. 

Governess,  application  for  character  of,  11;  answer,  12;  to  the  governess, 
13;  answer,  14;  nursery  governess  in  answer  to  an  advertisement, 
15;  unfavorable  answer  respecting,  16. 

Housekeeper,  application  for  situation  of,  17. 

Invitation,  94;  answer,  95,  96;  124;  answer,  125;  Notes  of,  page  115. 

Lady,  one  young,  to  another  from  school,  10;  on  arriving  in  New  York 
to  her  friends  in  Ireland,  116;  answer,  117;  second  letter,  118;  an- 
swer, 119;  to  her  fellow-voyager,  120;  answer,  121;  from  a  young,  to 
her  sister,  12  ;  answer,  123. 

Lady'amaid,  inquiry  for  one,  21;  answer,  22;  from  lady's  maid  to  hep 
intended  mistress,  23. 

Lodgings,  respecting  taking,  37. 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

Love,  Letters  on,  page  121;  to  a  lady,  126;  ansAver,  127;  second  lette 
123;  from  gentleman's  mother  to  lady,  129;  answer,  130;  from  the 
lady  to  the  gentleman,  131;  f.orathe  same,  132;  from  a  yorng  gen- 
tleman proposing  elopement,  133;  answer,  131:  from  a  youth  to  his 
sweetheart,  135;  answer,  136;  from  a  lady  complaining  of  her  lover's 
indifference,  137. 

Matrimonial,  answer  after  meeting  the  previous  evening,  41;  favorable 
ditto,  42;  more  familiar,  43,  44;  in  answer  to  an  absurd  letter,  45; 
refusal  on  grounds  of  pre-engagement,  46;  of  dislike,  47;  of  levity 
of  character,  48;  of  poverty,  49;  on  receiving  a  birth-clay  congratula- 
tion, 50;  complaining  of  not  receiving  a  letter,  51;  sending  minia- 
ture, 52;  on  receiving  ditto,  53;  answer  to  proposals  for  a  private 
meeting,  54,  55;  to  a  mother  respecting  a  favored  suitor,  56;  answer 
to  ditto,  57;  to  the  suitor  respecting  consent  of  mother,  58;  from  a 
widow,  69,  60;  to  an  accepted  suitor,  61;  after  a  misunderstanding, 
62,  63,  64;  from  a  servant  to  her  suitor,  65,  65;  advising  caution,  67, 
68;  from  a  lady's  maid,  69;  from  a  servant  with  a  refusal,  70,  71,  72; 
to  a  soldier  ordered  on  march,  73;  to  a  sailor,  74;  on  his  return,  75; 
to  a  young  farmer,  76;  about  day  of  nuptiaJs,  77;  for  bridesmaid,  78, 
89;  answer,  79,  80;  to  a  future  husband  respecting  his  misconduct, 
80;  to  a  clergyman  proposing,  81;  in  reference  to  a  religious  diffi- 
culty, 82;  from  one  married  lady  to  another,  83;  condoling  on  death 
of  husband,  84;  on  being  asked  to  name  the  day,  87;  in  answer  to  a 
proposal  to  break  off  an  engagement,  88;  from  a  lady  absent  to  her 
husband,  91;  to  her  daughter,  82;  answer,  93. 

Milliners'  apprentice,  application  for,  26;  answer,  27. 

Miniature  [see  under  MATRIMONIAL.]   . 

Mother  to  her  daughter,  114;  answer,  115. 

Observations,  concluding,  page  133. 

Parish  scholarship,  application  1'or,  28;  ditto  for  character  to  a  clergyman, 
29;  thanks  to  ditto  upon  being  successful,  30. 

Pecuniary  Assistance,  requesting,  110;  answer,  111. 

Punctuation,  page  119. 

Sailor,  letter  to,  74,  75. 

School,  to  the  mistress  of,  respecting  placing  daughters,.!;  answer  to 
ditto,  2;  from  a  young  lady  at  school  to  her  mother,  3;  answer  to 
ditto,  4;  from  a  little  girl  wanting  to  coins  home,  5;  answer,  6;  from 
school  announcing  the  vacation,  7;  acknowledging  a  present,  8; 
to  a  daughter  at  school  on  her  birthday,  9 ;  from  one  young  lady  to 
another,  10.  [See  also  Art.  PABISH]. 

Servant  [see  Art.  COOK],  for  loan  of  for  a  party,  40. 

Sister,  one  to  another,  112 ;  answer,  113. 

Soldier,  latter  to,  on  march,  73. 


THE 

LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 


LETTER  I. 

From  a  Lady  in  New  York  to  the  mistress  of  a  Boarding- 
school,  respecting  her  daughters. 

NEW  YORK,  February  Ctli,  18 — . 

MADAM, — Although  a  stranger  to  you  personally,  my 

esteemed  friend,  Mrs. ,  has  spoken  in  such  high  terms 

of  your  establishment,  and  of  the  improvement  of  her  own. 
daughters  under  your  system  of  education,  that  I  have 
unhesitatingly  determined  to  give  my  two  dear  children, 
Emily  and  Maria,  the  benefit  of  your  instruction,  should 

you  have  a  vacancy.  Emily  is  just years  of  age,  her 

sister years  younger.  Both  are  well  grounded  in  the 

ordinary  knowledge  which  should  form  the  basis  for  a 
u  finishing  course,''  and  I  have  no  doubt  your  establish- 
ment would  afford  them  every  advantage. 

They  are  amiable  children — if  their  mother's  fondness 
does  not  much  mislead  her;  and  although  they  have 
hitherto  lived  almost  entirely  at  home,  I  believe  they 
would  readily  adapt  themselves  to  a  new  society,  especial- 


1G  THE  LADY'S  (LETTER- WRITER. 

ly  under  what  Mrs. '  "  '    lias  led  me  to  believe,  an  almost 
motherly  superintendence. 

Awaiting  the  favor  of  your  reply,  and  of  such  particulars 
as  may  be  thought  necessary, 

I  remain,  Madam, 

Your  faithful  servant, 
To  Miss  or  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  II. 

The  Answer. 

GLENWOOD  HOUSE,  February  9th,  18 — . 
DEAR  MADAM, — I  shall  be  delighted  to  receive  your 
two  little  girls  next  quarter,  and  am  highly  pleased  at  the 
confidence  Mrs. 's  recommendation  has  led  you  to  re- 
pose in  me.  I  trust  that  my  W'hole  desire  has  ever  been  to 
promote  the  happiness,  as  well  as  the  intellectual  advance- 
ment of  my  pupils ;  and  I  may  venture  to  say  that  a  hap- 
pier circle  can  hardly  be  found  than  among  ourselves. 

The  enclosed  prospectuses  will  give  you,  I  think,  all  ne- 
cessary information  ;  but  as  I  shall  spend  a  few  days  of 

the  Easter  vacation  with  my  brother,  the  Rev. ,  I  shall 

hope  to  call  upon  you  in  New  York,  and  make  the  per- 
sonal acquaintance  both  of  yourself  and  of  the  little  ladies 
who  are  to  be  entrusted  to  my  charge. 

Assuring  you  that  no  pains  of  mine  will  be  spared  to 
promote  the  religious,  moral,  and  intellectual  welfare  of 
your  children, 

Believe  me, 

Dear  Madam, 

Most  faithfully  yours, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  10 

LETTER  III. 
From  a  young  Lady  at  School  to  her  mother. 

BELLE  YUE  HOUSE,  April  17th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAREST  MAMMA, — Although.  I  was  almost  heart- 
broken at  parting  from  you  for  the  first  time  in  my  life,  I 
felt  that  you  would  never  have  let  me  quit  home  but  for 
my  own  good  ;  and  I  hope  I  am  not  ungrateful  enough  to 
prefer  mere  selfish  gratification  to  future  welfare. 

I  find  school  much  less  disagreeable  than  I  had  expect- 
ed. There  are,  of  course,  many  variations  of  disposition 
— for  a  school  is  like  a  little  world — but,  for  the  most  part, 

the  girls  make  themselves  very  pleasant  to  me.     Mrs. 

is  kindness  itself,  and  sets  an  example  of  mutual  good-will 
to  all  of  us. 

My  studies  are,  I  think,  progressing  satisfactorily,  al- 
though I  am,  of  course,  in  the  back-ground  as  yet,  espe- 
cially in  my  French.  The  music-master  is  rather  passion- 
ate, especially  if  we  plr.y  out  of  time,  which  you  know, 
dear  Mamma,  used  to  be  an  unfortunate  fault  of  your 
Julia's.  But  he  takes  great  pains ;  and  I  think  you  will 
have  less  to  complain  of  in  my  playing  when  I  return. 

How  I  long  to  kiss  and  embrace  you  again !  God  bless 
you,  dear  mamma,  and  believe  me, 

Your  ever  Affectionate  child, 

To  Mrs. . 


LETTER  IY. 
The  Answer. 

BROOKLYN,  April  26th,  18 — . 
MY  DEAREST  CHILD, — I  was  delighted  to  receive  your 


20  THE  LADY'S  LETTEII-WBITER. 

affectionate  and  gratifying  letter.  Believe  me,  that  for  a 
widowed  mother  to  be  parted  from  her  only  darling  is  a 
sad-  trial,  especially  when  the  elasticity  of  youth  and 
health  is  so  much  diminished.  I  shall  look  forward  with 
joy  to  the  Midsummer  vacation,  when  I  intend  to  take 
you  with  me  on  a  trip  to  the  White  Mountains.  You  will 
have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  many  of  those  wonders  of 
nature  of  which  you  have  only  read  in  books,  as  well  as  of 
strengthening  your  health,  and  returning  to  school  with 
greater  aptitude  and  relish  for  study. 

Write  to  me  from  time  to  time,  and  let  me  know  all  the 
news  of  your  "  little  world ;"  for,  believe  me,  everything 
that  pertains  to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  my  darling 
child,  is  of  consequence  in  the  eyes  of  your  mother. 

Pray  present  my  kind  respects  to  Mrs. ,  and  thank 

her  for  her  kindly  care  of  you. 

That  God  may  bless  you,  and  make  you  all  that  I  could 
wish,  is  the  constant  prayer  of 

Your  affectionate  Mother, 

To  Miss  Julia .  . 


LETTER  V. 

From  a  little  Girl,  wanting  to  come  Home. 

AMENIA  SEMINARY. 

DEAR  MAMMA, — O  !  I  am  so  tired  of  this  place !  I  can- 
not learn  so  many  things  at  once ;  and  I  cannot  bear  going 
to  bed  without  kissing  you.  You  know,  mamma,  I  have 
never  been  away  from  you  before,  and  I  feel  as  if  I  should 
die  of  grief  if  you  do  not  let  me  come  home  again.  Do, 
mamma,  do,  and  I  will  love  you  for  ever. 

Your  miserable  child, 
To  Mrs. .  -r* . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  21 

LETTER  VI. 

The  Answer. 

JERSEY  CITY,  Saturday,  16th. 

MY  DEAR  CHILD, — I  am  sorry  that  you  should  pain  me 
by  so  unreasonable  a  request.  You  know  well  that  noth- 
ing pleases  me  more  than  to  have  all  of  you  around  me; 
but  you  must  recollect  that  all  your  brothers  and  sisters  have 
been  to  school  before  you,  and  they  never  complained  at 
all.  I  know  that  you,  being  the  youngest,  have  been  pet- 
ted a  great  deal  by  all  of  us ;  but,  for  that  very  reason 
you  ought  to  try  and  give  us  pleasure,  by  growing  up  a 
good  and  clever  girl. 

Believe  me,  my  dear  child,  you  will  find  school  become 
more  pleasant  every  day,  as  you  get  better  acquainted  with 
your  schoolfellows,  and  as  your  improvement  gains  the  ap- 
proval of  your  mistress.  Youth,  my  dear  little  girl,  is  the 
proper  time  for  exertion ;  for  if  we  once  lose  the  precious 
hours  of  early  life,  we  have  naught  to  look  back  to  but 
disappointment  and  regret. 

I  have  written  to  Mrs. to  ask  her  to  give  you  not 

quite  so  many  lessons  at  first,  and  have  no  doubt  she  will 
do  all  to  assist  you.  But  you  must  try  to  be  happy,  and 
look  forward  to  the  Christmas  vacation  as  the  reward  oi1 
the  little  self-privation  you  are  at  present  undergoing. 
With  the  united  kind  loves  of  your  father,  brothers,  and 
sisters,, 

I  am, 

My  dear  child, 
Your  affectionate  mother, 

To  Miss . . 


22  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER  VII. 

Announcing  the  Vacation. 

WOODLAWN  HOUSE,  June  — ,  18 — . 
MY  DEAR  PARENTS, — It  is  with  mingled  feelings  of  re- 
gret and  pleasure,  that  I  announce  that  the  termination  of 
this  half  year's  work  is  fixed  for  the  — th  instant.  I  sin- 
cerely hope  that  I  shall  not  only  find  you  both  in  excel- 
lent health,  but  that  you  will  be  satisfied  with  my  im- 
provement since  I  last  left  home.  No  pains  have  been; 
spared  by  any  of  my  teachers  to  render  me  worthy  of  your 
good  opinion ;  and  I  must  ever  feel  grateful  both  to  them, 
and  to  yourselves,  for  the  pains  bestowed  upon  my  educa- 
tion. 

Mrs.  (or  Miss) desires-  me  to  present  her  best  com- 
pliments; and,  with  my  best  love  to  my  sisters  and 
brothers,  believe  me  to  remain, 

My  dear  Parents, 
Your  ever  dutiful  and  affectionate  daughter, 

Tn  ___ 

-t  \J  —~        r»  * 


LETTER  VIII. 

Acknowledging  a  Present* 

RICHMOND,  April  4th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  FATHER, — How  kind  of  you  to  think  of  me 
immediately  after  your  return  from  Paris !  The  trinkets 
you  sent  are  so  very  beautiful,  that  I  should  have  been 
afraid  of  exciting  the  envy  of  my  schoolfellows,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  liberal  supply  of  French  confectionaiy  (of 
which,  I  assure  you,  very  little  now  remains)  by  which 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  23 

they  were  accompanied.  I  assure  you,  I  spare  no  trouble 
to  win  the  good  opinion  of  my  school-mistress  and  teachers ; 
and,  if  I  may  judge  from  their  kindness  towards  me,  I  am 
not  altogether  unsuccessful. 

I  am  enjoying  excellent  health  and  spirits;  but  I  hope 
now  you  are  in  New  York,  you  will  sometimes  run  down 
and  see  your  daughter ;  for,  believe  me,  nothing  but  an 
occasional  thought  of  poor,  widowed  papa,  ever  intrudes 

upon  my  cheerfulness.  Mrs. has  frequently  expressed 

a  wish  to  see  you,  so  that  I  shall  look  forward  with  anx- 
iety for  that  happy  occasion. 

Again  thanking  you  for  your  thoughtful  and  libera) 

kindness, 

Believe  me  to  remain, 

My  dear  Father, 

Your  ever  affectionate  and  grateful  daughter, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  IX. 
To  a  Daughter  on  her  Birthday. 

NEW  ORLEANS,  February  12th,  18 — . 
MY  DEAREST  CHILD, — Your  father,  brothers,  and  sisters, 
all  unite  with  me  in  wishing  you  a  thuosand  good  wishes 
on  this  your  — th  anniversary.  We  could  all  have  wished 
that  circumstances  would  have  allowed  of  your  spending 
it  with  us ;  but  feeling,  in  these  matters,  must  oftentimes 
be  sacrificed  to  utility,  and  our  selfish  delights  must  not 
be  suffered  to  interfere  with  the  prospects  of  those  dear  to 
us.  The  package  which  accompanies  this  letter,  contains 
not  only  some  trifling  tokens  of  affection  from  all  of  us, 
but  the  materials  for  a  little  entertainment  which,  I  have 


24  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

no  doubt,  Mrs. will  allow  you  to  give  to  your  school- 
fellows, as  I  have  written  to  beg  a  half-holiday  on  the  oc- 
casion, 

God  bless  you,%  my  dear  child  !  and  that  every  succeed- 
ing year  may  see  you  increase  in  all  that  is  desirable  in 
body  and  mind,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  your  ever  anxious 
parents.  With  best  compliments  to  your  mistress  and 
teachers, 

Believe  me, 
Your  ever  affectionate  Mother, 

To  Miss . 


LETTER   X. 

From  one  Young  Lady  to  another. 

PEEXSKILL,  June  15th,  18—. 

DEAR , — Though  it  is  n#ar  breaking-up  time,  I 

should  feel  distracted  at  leaving  this  delightful  place, 
were  it  not  for  the  expectation  of  again  beholding  my 
dear  mother,  and  of  again  meeting  with  so  many  beloved 
friends,  none  more  so  than  yourself. 

I  hope  I  have  made  a  good  progress  during  this  last  half 
year,  as  I  know  the  anxiety  of  all  my  friends  011  the  sub- 
ject, and  am  too  much  indebted  to  them  not  to  wish  to 
make  every  exertion  to  gain  their  good  opinion.  Mv 
health  has  been  excellent ;  indeed,  this  place  is  sufficient 
to  preserve  the  most  delicate  in  comparative  comfort.  In 
fact,  had  I  not  another  home,  I  should  scarcely  wish  ever 
to  leave  here. 

But  about  yourself.  I  am  so  glad  to  hear  that  you  are 
engaged ;  and  won't  I  tease  you  when  I  come  to  town ! 


TIIE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER.  £5 

I  long  to  see  the  gentleman.  Is  he  tall  or  short,  raven  oi1 
auburn,  fair  or  dark,  £c.,  &c.  ?  But,  without  joking  on 
what  is  really  a  serious  matter  in  a  friend's  happiness,  I 
sincerely  hope  he  is  a  good  man,  and  one  worthy  the  heart 
and  hand  of  my  dearest  old  schoolfellow.  I  well  know 
that  you  possess  all  the  charms  of  mind  and  person  that 
can  make  any  man  happy ;  and  that  you  may  never  be 
deceived  in  your  choice,  is  my  most  earnest  wish. 

Believe  me  to  remain,  dear ,  with  every  prayer  for 

your  happiness, 

Your  affectionate , 

To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  XI. 

'Requiring  tlie  Character  of  a  Governess. 

LE  ROY  PLACE,  August  10th,  18 — . 
MADAM,  — Having    inserted   an   advertisement  in  the 
papers  requiring  the  services  of  a  governess  competent  to 
instruct  my  three  daughters,  I  shall  esteem  it  a  great  favor, 

if  you  will  inform  me  as  to  what  extent  Miss ,  who 

has  referred  me  to  you,  is  capable  of  instructing  her  pu- 
pils in  the  higher  branches  of  female  education.  I  am 
especially  anxious  to  obtain  an  amiable  young  person,  who 
would  be  treated  as  one  of  the  family,  and  w ould  be  will- 
ing to  consider  herself  as  the  guardian  of  the  morals,  as 
well  as  the  superintendent  of  the  studies  of  my  children. 
I  am  much  pleased  with  the  appearance  and  manners  of 

Miss ,  and  should  your  report  be  favorable,  I  shall 

have  no  hesitation  in  completing  an  engagement  with  her. 

I  am, 

Madam, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 
To  Mrs. . 


2G  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER. 

LETTER  XII. 

In  Ansicer. 

ABINGTON  SQUARE,  August  10th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — I  was  absent  from  town  when  your  letter  ar- 
rived, or  nhoald  have  replied  immediately.     I  trust  this 
delay,  which  I  much  regret,  will  in  no  way  interfere  with 

your  arrangement  with  Miss ,  for  whom  I  entertain  the 

highest  respect  and  good  .feeling;  During  her  residence 
of years  in  my  family,  I  ever  found  her  amiable,  in- 
dustrious and  sensible.  Well  grounded  in  English,  she 
likewise  possesses  a  useful  knowledge  of  accounts,  writes 
a  free  and  elegant  hand,  and  speaks  and  writes  French 
with  considerable  fluency.  With  regard  to  the  accom- 
plishments of  music  and  drawing,  she  is  fully  competent 
to  prepare  pupils  for  their  finishing  masters  ;  and  her  gen- 
eral aptitude  for  teaching  is  increased  by  her  patience  and 
good-humor.  I  can  scarcely  add  anything  further,  than 
to  express  my  wish  that  she  may  obtain  a  situation  every 
way  suited  to  her  deserts,  and  that  you  may  have  eveiy 
reason  to  be  pleased  with  the  results  of  your  engagement. 

I  remain, 

Madam, 

Your  very  faithful  servant, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XIII. 
To  the  Governess,  from  the  former  Lady. 

LE  ROY  PLACE,  August  12th,  18—. 
MY  DEAR  Miss , — So  favorable  is  the  result  of  Mrs. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  27 

's  report,  that  I  unhesitatingly  offer  you  a  situation 

in  my  house,  about  which  we  have  already  been  in  com- 
munication. With  every  confidence  in  your  ability  and 
willingness  to  gratify  my  wishes  for  the  welfare  of  my 
children,  I  can  assure  you  that  all  that  is  in  my  power 
shall  be  done  to  lighten  your  labor,  and  make  you  feel 
like  one  of  ourselves. 

Pray  inform  me  when  it  will  be  convenient  for  you  to 
enter  upon  your  new  duties,  as  I  will  at  once  make  the 
necessary  arrangements  for  your  accommodation. 
Believe  me, 

Dear  Miss , 

Yours  very  truly, 
To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  XIV. 

The  Answer, 

EAST  14TH  STREET,  August  18th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — I  am  happy  to  hear  that  your  good  opinion 
of  me  has  been  confirmed  oy  the  kind  verdict  of  Mrs. 

.     If  convenient   to   yourself,  I  shall  be  happy  to 

enter  upon  my  duties  on  —  —  the  — th,  as  I  believe  you 
are  anxious  that  no  time  should  be  lost. 
I  remain, 

Madam, 

Your  obedient  and  faithful  servant, 
"To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XY. 

Prom  a  Nursery  Governess  in  answer  to  an  Advertisement. 

RUTHERFORD  PLACE,  January  3rd,  18 — . 
MADAM, — Understanding  that  you  have  a  vacancy  for  a 


zb  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

nursery  governess  for children  of  your  own,  I  beg 

to  state  that  I  have  occupied  that  situation  for years 

in  the  house  of ,  and  only  left  in  consequence  of  the 

family  going  to  reside  in  the  country.  I  am  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  usual  routine  of  an  English  education, 
and  with  sufficient  of  French  and  music  to  teach  the  first 
rudiments,  and  attend  to  the  practising  in  the  absence  of 
the  teacher,  which,  I  presume,  is  all  that  you  would  re- 
quire. I  enclose  some  testimonials,  which,  I  venture  to 
hope,  will  satisfy  you  as  to  my  character  and  competency 
for  the  office.  Should  you  honor  me  with  your  confi- 
dence, I  assure  you  that  neither  kindness  nor  exertion 
shall  be  wanting  to  do  justice  to  your  children,  without 
exercising  undue  severity  or  unkindness. 

Awaiting  the  favor  of  your  reply, 
I  remain, 
Madam, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

To  A.  B.,  care  of,  &c.*  . 


LETTER  XVI. 

An  unfavorable  Answer  to  an  Application  for  the,  Charac- 
ter of  a  Governess. 

PETERSBURG,  August  5th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — In  answer  to  your  polite  note  in  reference  to 

the  character  and  capabilities  of  Miss ,  who  lived  in 

my  family  in  the  capacity  of  governess,  during  the  space 

of ,  I  regret  to  say  that  a  duty  imposes  itself  upon  me, 

which,  although  requisite,  is  yet  most  unpleasant  to  my 

*  According  as  the  advertisement  directs. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTEB-WBITEK.  29 

feelings;  inasmuch  as  I  feel  obliged  to  state,  that  the 
estimate  which  I  formed  of  the  capabilities  of  that  lady 
(or,  my  opinions  in  reference  to  her  temper  and  conduct,  as 
the  case  may  fo),  were  far  from  being  of  a  satisfactory  na- 
ture. I  found  her  very  deficient  in  two  departments, 
those  of  music  and  French  (or,  I  found  her  manners  ex- 
tremely repulsive,  and  that,  in  the  management  of  chil- 
dren, she  had  little  or  no  command  over  her  temper). 
In  other  respects  I  have  nothing  to  say  to  her  prejudice. 
Regretting  that  I  cannot  give  a  more  favorable  reply  to 
your  letter, 

Believe  me, 
Madam, 
Your  very  obedient  servant, 


LETTER  XVII. 

For  a  Housekeeper. 

HUDSON  CITY,  April  5th,  13 — . 

bin  (itr  MADAM), — Learning  from  an  advertisement  in 
the  Herald  of  -  —  (or  from  a  friend),  that  you  require 
the  services  of  an  experienced  housekeeper,  I  beg  respect- 
fully to  offer  myself  as  a  candidate  for  the  vacant  oilice. 

I  am  unmarried  ;  my  age  is years  ;  and  I  have  lived 

for years  in  the  family  of ,  to  whom  I  can  con- 
fidently refer  you  as  to  my  character  and  fitness  for  the 
duties  of  the  situation. 

I  remain, 

Sir  (or  Madam), 
Your  most  humble  servant  to  command, 


30  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER  XVIII. 

As  to  the  Character  of  a  Cook  or  Servant-of -all-work. 

BROOKLYN,  E.  D.,  June  15th,  18 — . 

MADAM, — Mary having  replied  to  an  advertisement 

for  a  cook  (or  housemaid,  &c.,)  in  the  Herald,  refers  me  to 
you  for  a  character.  I  feel  particularly  anxious  to  obtain 
a  clean,  active,  and  civil  person,  as  my  last  occasioned  me 
much  trouble,  and  left  under  most  unfavorable  cir- 
cumstances. I  shall,  therefore,  feel  obliged  by  your 
making  me  acquainted  with  any  particulars  referring  to 
her  character,  and  remain, 

Madam, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER   XIX. 

In  Ansicer. 

FORT  GREEN  PLACE,  June  18th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — I  take  an  early  opportunity  of  acknowledging 
the  receipt  of  your  note  ;  and  in  answer  to  your  questions 
relative  to  the  character,  of  Mary ,  I  beg  leave  to  in- 
form you  that  she  lived  with  me  in  the  capacity  referred 

to,  for  the  space  of ,  during  which  time  I  generally 

found  her  attentive  to  her  duties,  to  the  performance  of 
which  she  was  fully  equal.  I  always  had  full  confidence  in 
her  honesty,  which  she  never  gave  me  any  cause  to  ques- 
tion ;  and  in  regard  to  her  cleanliness  and  civility,  I  had 
very  little  reason  to  find  fault.  I  parted  with  her  on  ac- 
count of  her  ill-health  (or  a  difference  about  wages,  &c.), 


THE   LADY'S   LETTER-WHITER.  81 

and  can  recommend  her  with  full  confidence  of  her  t>eing 
likely  to  give  you  satisfaction. 

I  am,  Madam,  &c.  &c., 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XX. 

Unfavorable. 

FORT  GREEN  PLACE,  June  18th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — In  replying  to   your  polite  note,  I  beg  to 

inform  you  that  Mary ,  who  lived  with  me  in  the 

capacity  of  — • — ,  left  my  service  in  consequence  of  her 
incompetency  to  the  discharge  of  her  duties  (or  name  any 
other  cause).  In  other  respects  I  had  no  reason  for  dis- 
charging her. 

Believe  me, 

Madam, 

Yours  most  respectfully, 
To  Mrs,  .  . 


LETTER  XXL 

For  a  Lady^s  JHfaid,  from  one  young  Lady  to  another. 

NEW  YORK,  July  15th,  18—. 

DEAR  , — We  are  about  to  start  for  on  the 

— th,  and  I  am  as  yet  unprovided  with  a  lady  *s  maid. 
Never  having  performed  a  sea- voyage  as  yet,  it  is  import-' 
ant  that  I  should  have  some  one  who  has  crossed  the 
ocean,  and  who  could  attend  to  the  comforts  necessary  on 
shipboard.     Do  you,  among  your  various  acquaintance, 


32  THE   LADY'S   LETTER-WHITER, 

know  any  one  who  could  introduce  to  me  a  cheerful  and 
attentive  young  person.  You  know  enough  of  my  tem- 
per to  be  aware  that  I  should  be  a  kind  mistress,  and  ab- 
stain from  giving  useless  trouble ;  in  fact,  I  had  rather 
meet  with  one  whom  I  could  make  a  companion,  especial- 
ly if  papa  carries  out  his  scheme  of  an  excursion  up  the 
Mediterranean. 

I  am  sorry  to  trouble  you ;  but  I  know  that  you  will 
assist  me  if  you  can.     Meanwhile,  believe  me, 

Dear , 

Ever  truly  yours, 

To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  XXII. 

The  Answer. 
MADISON  SQUARE,  July  17th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — Fortunately  I  happen  to  know  the  very 

person  you  want,   and  as  time   seems  pressing,  I  have 
directed  her  at  once  to  call  upon  you.    The  bearer  of  this 

note  is  -  — ,   a  young  person,   most  respectably 

brought  up,  and  well  acquainted  with  the  matters  of  the 
toilet,  &c.  She  was  with  me  for  a  few  weeks  during 
the  illness  of  my  present  maid,  and  had  I  not  already 
been  perfectly  well  suited,  I  should  have  been  glad  to 
engage  her.  Having  been  employed  in  a  Parisian  mil- 
linery depot,  she  has  frequently  crossed  and  re-crossed, 
and  claims  to  be  a  "  good  sailor,"  so  yo»  will  have  a  com- . 
forter  in  your  fears.  She  bears  the  best  possible  character 
from  all  who  have  known  her,  as  her  testimonials  will 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  33 

prove,  and  her  pleasant  and  modest  manners    speak  for 
themselves. 

Wishing  you,  my  clear ,  all  possible  pleasure  from 

your  forthcoming  voyage,  and  all  agreeable  companion- 
ship from  my  young  friend, 

Believe  me, 

Ever  sincerely  yours, 
To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  XXIII. 

From  a  Lady's  Maid  to  her  intended  Mistress. 

THIRTIETH  STREET,  July  19th,  18 — . 
HONORED  Miss, — I  feel  most  grateful  to  you  for  select- 
ing  me   as    your  lady's  maid,   and   will   do   all  in  niy 
power  to  promote  your  comfort,  and  deserve  your  appro- 
bation.    Agreeably  to  your  wishes,  I  will  be  with  you 

punctually  at on evening. 

I  am, 

Honored  Miss, 

Your  humble  and  obedient  servant  to  command, 
To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  XXIV. 

For  a  Recommendation  of  a  Companion. 

RIVERSIDE,  June  30th,  18 — . 

DEAR  MRS. , — My  old  friend,  Miss ,  who  has 

for  some  time  past  been  in  a  decaying  state  of  health,  is 
anxious  to  meet  with  a  lady  who  would  be  willing  to  re- 


34  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

side  with  her  as  a  companion.  Being  incapacitated,  from 
much  reading,  she  is  anxious  to  find  a  lady  who  would 
lighten  her  heavy  hours  by  agreeable  conversation,  a  rub- 
ber at  cribbage,  and  so  on.  You  know  Miss 's  dis- 
position as  well  as  I  do.  Though  occasionally  irritable, 
and  sometun.es  rather  selfish,  she  is  kind-hearted  by  na- 
ture, and  I  doubt  not,  would  be  a  valuable  friend  to  a 
lady  whose  reduced  means  might  induce  her  to  accept 
such  a  situation.  Should  you  know  of  any  one  to  whom 
the  comforts  of  a  liberally  conducted  household  are  of 
consequence,  and  who  would  be  likely  to  conduce  to  the 
comfort  of  my  old  friend,  I  will  bring  about  a  personal 
introduction,  that  both  may  form  some  estimate  of  each 
others  dispositions  before  binding  themselves  to  any 
agreement  to  live  together. 

I  remain, 

Dear  Mrs. , 

Yours  ever  faithfully  and  sincerely, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XXV. 

In  Answer. 

PORTLAND  PLACE,  August  9th,  18-^. 
DEAR  MRS. , — -I  should  not  have  delayed  answer- 
ing your  letter  so  long,   but  that  I  was  awaiting   the 

return  of  Miss ,  an  intimate  friend  of  mine,  and  who 

had  once  spoken  to  me  in  reference  to  the  same  subject. 
She  is  the  orphan  daughter  of  a  clergyman,  has  min- 
gled in  good  society,  and  seen  something  of  the  world. 
Her  age  is  about  ,  her  temper  extremely  kind  and 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WIUTIMI.  3«j 

forbearing,  and  her  manners  and  conversation  sprightly 
and  entertaining.  Although  possessing  a  small  annuity, 
sufficient  to  exclude  her  from  absolute  privation,  she 
would  gladly  husband  some  of  her  small  means,  with  the 
view  of  assisting  some  relations  who  are  totally  unprovi- 
ded for ;  and,  under  such  circumstances,  she  feels  grateful 
for  your  proposal,  and  will  gladly  accept  your  introduc- 
tion to  Mrs.  - at  any  convenient  period. 

Believe  me, 

Dear  Mrs. , 

Yours  ever  truly, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XXVI. 

In    Answer    to   an   Advertisement  for   a   Milliner's 
Apprentice. 

NEW  YORK,  June  5th,  18 — . 

MAP  AM, — In  answer  to  your  advertisefnent  in  the 

of ,  for  an  apprentice,  I  beg  to  say  that  I  have  a 

daughter years  of  age,  who  is  very  expert  with  her 

needle,  and  would,  I  think,  improve  considerably  in  a 
short  time.  Will  you,  therefore,  favor  me  with  particu- 
lars as  to  premium,  and  other  matters,  to  which  I  will 
give  early  consideration. 

Yours  obediently, 
To  Madame  (or  Mrs.) .  . 


LETTER  XXVII. 

In  Answer. 

DIVISION  STREET,  June  7th,  18 — . 
— =—  presents  her  complimertfs  to  Mrs. ,  and 


36  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

begs  to  inform  her  that  the  premium  usually  paid  on  en- 
trance is  — — .  The  hours  of  work  are  from to . 

The  board  provided  is  of  the  best  quality,  and  every  op- 
portunity is  given  to  those  who  are  willing  to  learn.  Ii1 

Mrs. will  kindly   call   in   Division    Street  at   her 

earliest  convenience,  bringing  her  daughter  with  her, 
Madame  will  be  happy  to  answer  any  further  ques- 
tions for  their  satisfaction. 

To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER   XXVIII. 

Application  for  a  Situation  as   Weird  Schoolmistress. 
KEW  YORK,  June  30th,  18 — . 

GENTLEMEN, — Understanding  that  a  vacancy  for  the 
situation  of  mistress  to  your  Ward  School  has  occurred, 
I  beg  to  offer  myself  as  a  candidate,  and  to  inclose  my 
certificate,  &c.,  from  the  Superintendent  of  the  Board  of 
Education.  While  I  feel  that  these  can  better  speak  for 
me  than  I  can  for  myself,  I  venture  to  assure  you  that, 
should  you  honor  me  by  conferring  upon  me  the  vacant 
appointment,  I  shall  strive  to  discharge  my  duties  earn- 
estly and  steadily,  and  shall  ever  remain, 

Gentlemen, 
Your  grateful  and  obedient  servant, 


To  the  Trustees  of  the  — —  Ward  School. 


LETTER  XXIX. 

Application    for    a     Testimonial    from    a    Clergyman. 

NEW  YORK,  June,  21st,  18—. 
REVEREND  SIR, — Being  a  candidate  for  the  situation 


THK  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  87 

of  school-mistress  in  the school,  I  venture  to  solicit 

the  favor  of  a  testimonial  from  you,  as  to  my  conduct 
while  at  the  Normal  School,  and  also  to  entreat  that, 
should  you  deem  me  a  worthy  candidate,  you  will  kindly 
exert  your  interest  011  my  behalf. 

Sincerely  thanking  you  for  past  kindness,  I  have  the 
honor  to  subscribe  myself, 

Reverend  Sir, 
Your  most  humble  and  dutiful  servant, 

To  the  Rev. .  . 


LETTER  XXX. 

Returning    Thanks  upon   Success. 

NEW  YORK,  August  12th,  18 — . 

REVEREND  SIR, — Allow  one  of  the  humblest  of  the 
many  claimants  on  your  kindness,  to  return  her  sincere 
thanks  for  the  kind  interest  which,  she  feels  persuaded, 
has  so  materially  conduced  to  her  success.  That,  rever- 
end sir,  I  may  be  found  competent  to,  and  active  in  the 
discharge  of  those  duties  to  which  I  have  been  called, 
and  that  you  may  feel  no  reason  to  repent  your  interest  in 
rny  welfare,  is  the  sincere  prayer  of, 

Your  dutiful  and  grateful  servant. 
To  the  Rev. .  — . 


LETTER  XXXI. 
Par   a   Subscription   to   a    Coal  and   Blanket    Clul. 

SOUTH  BROOKLYN,  Dec.  15th,  18 — . 
MADAM, — In  consequence  of  the  severity  of  the  season, 


88  THE   LADY'S   LETTER- WRITER. 

and  the  difficulty  the  lower  orders  find  in  obtaining  em- 
ployment, the  Institution,  of  which  we  indosc  a  prospec- 
tus, has  been  set  on  foot  by  a  number  of  influential 
persons  in  this  neighborhood.  Should  you  feel  disposed 
k)  aid  in  this  charitable  design,  the  honor  of  your  name 
to  the  appended  list  is  most  respectfully  solicited,  by 

Madam, 

Yours  most  respectfully, 
To.Mnk .  . 


LETTER  XXXIL 
For  a  Private    Case. 

YORKVILLE,  Dec.  17th,  18 — . 

MADAM, — May  I  venture  to  solicit  the  aid  of  your  inter- 
est and  bounty  on  behalf  of  a  m.ost  deserving-  case  ?    The 

widow  of ,  a in  the  service,  is  left  by 

his  de'ath  utterly  dcstitjite,  and  with  a  family  of  young- 
children,  which  prevent  her  obtaining-  any  employment  in 
her  present  state  of  bereavement  and  sickness.  A  small 
sum  is  being  raised,  in  the  hope  of  establishing  her  in  a 
small  shop,  and  interest  has  been  made  to  place  two  of 
her  children  in  the  infant-school. 

Trusting  you  will  excuse  this  intrusion  on  your  notice, 
and  that  I  may  be  honored  with  the  addition  of  your 
name  to  the  inclosed  list  of  subscribers, 
I  remain, 

Madam, 
Your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

To  Mrs. .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  39 

LETTER  XXXni. 
In  Answer* 

NEW  YORK,  Friday  4th,  18 — . 

Mrs. is  happy  in  being  able  to  assist  so  well-recom- 
mended a  case  as  the  one  mentioned  in  Mr. 's  letter, 

and  will  gladly  place  her  name  on  the  list  for  the  sum  of 

.     Should  any  further  opportunity  qf  rendering  aid 

occur  to  her,  she  will  gladly  embrace  it. 
To  the  Rev. . 


LETTER  XXXIV. 
Negatively. 
NEW  YORK,  Tuesday  3d,  18 — . 

Mrs.  begs  to  acknowledge  Mr. 7s  letter ;  but 

regrets  that  the  claims  upon  her  purse  of  late  have  been  so 
frequent  and  so  heavy,  that  she  has  nothing  but  good 
wishes  to  offer. 

To  — ^-.  . 


LETTER  XXXV. 

To    procure    the    Admission    of  a    Girl  into  a    school. 

BEDFORD,  Dec.  13th,  18—. 

MY  DEAR  SIR, — You  are,  I  well  know,  possessed  of  con- 
siderable city  kinuence,  and  the  benevolence  of  your  heart 
induces  me  to  believe  that  that  influence  is  ever  willingly 
exerted  in  furthering  a  good  purpose.  Under  this  per- 
suasion, I  write  to  solicit  your  interest  with  the  governors 


40  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

of Girls'  School,  to  procure  the   admission   of  tfco 

daughter  of  a  tried  and  faithful  servant  of  mine,  who  is  a 
most  amiable  and  well-disposed  child,  and  is,  I  am  con- 
vinced, of  the  very  disposition  suited  to  the  institution  in 

question.     Her  age  is ;  her  father  is  dead,  and  her 

mother  has  but  little  means  of  support,  except  such  as  are 

derived  from  my  purse.     If  an  admission  into School 

could  be  obtained  for ,  I  should  tak«  care  that  her 

future,  as  well  as  present  condition  justified  the  preference. 

Pray  do  the  best  in  this  matter,  and  you  will   truly 
oblige, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Your  faithful  servant, 

To  Mr.  Alderman .  . 


LETTER  XXXYI. 

Requesting  a   Friend  to  execute  a   Commission. 

•    S 

POUGHKEEPSIE,  July  IGtll,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR ,  — Will  you  kindly  execute  the  following 

little  commissions  for  me,  as  soon  as  you  are  at  liberty  to 
reach  Swan  and  Edgars  (here  state  ribbons,  muslins,  &c.  as 

wanted)  ?  Will  you  also  call  at  's,  and  inquire  when 

Bulwer's  new  novel  really  will  be  out,  as  I  am  all  anxiety 
to  know.  The  weather  down  here  is  delightful;  but  I 
wish  I  had  the  pleasure  of  your  company  to  render  it 
more  so.  Pray  write  a  line  when  you  send  the  things,  and 
let  me  know  how  town  is  getting  on. 

Ever  yours, 

To  Miss .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.         41 

LETTER  XXXVII. 

About   taking  Lodgings. 

NEW  LONDON,  August  16th,  18 — . 

DEAR  MRS.  , — May  I  ask  you  a  great  favor,  al- 
though I  fear  it  may  occasion  you  some  trouble.  We  re- 
turn to  New  York  on  the  — th,  and  wish,  if  possible,  to 
avoid  the  expense  of  living  at  an  hotel,  if  we  could  meet 
with  a  couple  of  floors  in  a  respectable,  open  situation 
near  Union  Square.  Will  you  kindly  undertake  to  look 
out  for  us  ?  I  know  that  you  are  a  good  deal  about  town, 
and  if  you  could  procure  us  anything  at  a  rate  at  all  rea- 
sonable, you  will  greatly  oblige 

Your  sincere  old  friend, 

To  Mrs  .  


LETTER  XXXVIII. 

g   tJie    Loan  of   some    Boohs    during    Sickness. 

NEW  YORK,  June  4th,  18—. 

DEAH , — I  am  far  from  well ;  indeed,  I  hav^c  been 

confined  to  my  sofa  for  some  days  past,  and  have  enjoyed 
no  amusement  but  such  as  my  few  books  afforded  me.  I 
write  to  beg  the  loaa  of  some  of  the  "  Waverly"  novels,  of 
which  I  know  you  possess  a  complete  set.  They  shall  be 
taken  every  possible  care  of,  and  returned  as  regularly  as 
read.  Pray  look  in  for  an  hour  now  and  then,  and  speak 
a  few  words  of  comfort  to 

Yours  ever  sincerely, 

To  Miss  .•  — . 


48  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER  XXXIX. 

The  Answer. 
THIRTY-FOURTH  STREET,  June  4th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — How  grieved  I  am  to  hear  of  your  illness  ! 

I  send  you  half  a  dozen  volumes,  which  I  hope  will  lighten 
the  tediousness  or  your  sofa-confiaement,  and  will  como 
and  see  you  to-morrow  morning.  I  should  have  clone  so 
ere  now,  but  have  been  so  variously  engaged,  that  I  havs 
scarcely  had  a  minute  to  myself. 

Wishing  sincerely  to  find  you  better, 

I  am, 

Dear , 

Yours  ever  affectionately, 
To  Miss . — . 


LETTER  XL. 
For   tlie  Loan   of  a   Servant. 

TREMOJTT,  Jan.  15th,  18 — . 

DEAR  MADAM, — I  find  that  my  party  of  to-morjow 
night  will  be  rather  larger  than  was  expected,  and  shall 
be  at  a  loss  for  sufficient  attendance,  unless  I  can  obtain 
the  loan  of  one  or  two  servants  from  my  friends.  Would 
you  kindly  permit  your  footman  to  stay  and  help  my  own 
servants ;  and  if  I  can  oblige  you  in  a  similar  way  on 
another  occasion,  you  will  be  most  welcome. 
Believe  me, 

Dear  Madam, 

Ever  faithfully  yours, 
To  the  Hon.  Mrs. .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  43 

LETTER  XLI. 

From  (i  young  Lady,  in  Answer  to  the  Proposal  of  a  Gentle- 
man who  had  met  lier  the  previous  Evening. 

HEMPSTEAD,  July  6th,  18 — . 

Sin, — Although  it  is  the  highest  compliment  that  can 
be  paid  our  sex,  to  receive  offers  calculated  to  ensure  a 
lasting  acquaintance,  I  must  still  complain  of  the  precipi- 
tate character  of  your  address  to  one  who,  till  last  night, 
was  a  total  stranger  to  you.  Without  wishing  to  say  any- 
thing harsh,  I  must  confess  that  I  do  not  feel  any  motive 
to  entertain  so  hasty  a  proposal,  and  have  felt  bound  te 
lay  your  letter  before  my  parents,  as  I  could  not  think  of 
concealing  from  them  any  correspondence  of  such  a  de- 
scription. 

Trusting  that  you  will  see  the  matter  in  its  proper  light, 
I  remain, 

Sir, 

Yours  respectfully, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  XLII. 

Another,  more  favorable. 

HEMPSTEAD,  Sept.  18th,  18 — . 

SiPv, — Although  your  letter  of  this  morning  comes  upon 
me  in  a  strangely  unexpected  manner,  I  feel  that  your  in- 
timate friendship  with  my  kind  hostess,  Mrs. ,  per- 
haps excuses  a  precipitation  which  could  scarcely  be  jus- 
tified on  ordinary  grounds.  At  the  same  time,  I  cannot 


44  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

think  of  giving  a  sanction  to  further  attentions  on  your 

part,  without  consulting  Mrs. on  the  subject,  and  I 

have,  therefore,  placed  your  letter  in  her  hands.  I  cannot 
deny  that  I  feel  some  pleasure  in  having  elicited  senti- 
ments from  you,  which  appear  to  be  founded  in  honorable 
good  feeling,  but  must,  for  a  time,  beg  of  you  to  excuse 
me  giving  you  any  further  sanction  to  your  addresses. 
I  remain, 

Sir, 

Your  sincere  well-wisher  and  friend, 
To ,  Esq.  — . 


LETTER  XLIII. 

On  receiving  a    second   Letter,  after   frequent    Meetings. 

HEMPSTEAD,  Dec.  15th,  18 — . 

DEAR  SIR, — It  is  impossible  for  me  to  deny  that  your 
assiduous,  but  delicate,  attentions  to  me  of  late  have  con- 
firmed a  favorable  impression  I  had  formed,  but  which 
the  suddenness  of  your  address  rendered  it  impossible  I 
could  avow.  Your  whole  conduct  has  been  that  of  a 

gentleman,  and  Mrs. 's  representations  are  so  strongly 

in  your  favor,  that  I  feel  it  would  be  false  modesty  in 
me  to  disclaim  a  feeling  of  strong  regard  for  yourself. 
Let  us  not,  however,  be  too  hasty  in  our  conclusions — let 
us  not  mistake  momentary  impulse  for  permanent  impres- 
sion ;  let  us  rather  seek  to  know  more  of  each  other,  to 
study  each  other's  tempers,  and  to  establish  that  sincere 
esteem  which  should,  which  must,  be  the  foundation  of 
every  deeper  feeling. 

I  have  written  to  my  father  on  the  subject,  and,  as  I 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  45 

anticipated,  he  haft  laid  me  under  no  restraint,  save  of 
cautioning  me  not  to  be  hasty  in  giving  that  promise,  or 
accepting  it  from  another,  which  may  involve  the  happi- 
ness of  a  whole  life.  Meanwhile,  Mrs.  -  begs  that  you 
will  accept  a  general  invitation  to  her  tea-table,  to  which 
arrangement,  I  can  assure  you,  no  objection  will  be  made 

!>j 

Dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  truly, 
To  --  ,  Esq.  '  —  . 


LETTER  XLIV. 

On   more   intimate    Acquaintance. 

HEMPSTEAD,  May  1st,  18  —  . 

DEAII  --  ,  —  We  shall  all  be  very  happy  to  see  you  here 
for  a  little  evening  festival  to  the  children  of  the  village. 
When  I  say  we,  it  of  course  includes  some  one  in  whose 
heart  you  now  hold  a  place,  with  whose  fondest  thoughts 
and  prayers  your  name  has  been  associated  for  some 
months  past.  I  believe  we  are  to  perform  charades,  or 
something  of  that  sort,  and  I  have  been  occupied  half  the 
week  in  cutting  old  window  curtains  and  sofa-covers  into 
absurd  costumes,  supposed  to  bo  Oriental.  I  know  you 
are  very  clever  at  that  sort  of  nonsense,  so  I  hope  you  will 
come  and  have  a  good  laugh  with  and  at 

Your  affectionate  -  , 

To  -  .  --  . 


P.  S.  Come  early.  I  have  something  to  say  to  you. 
Besides  you  can  do  everything  ;  and  we  want  you  to  assist 
in  arranging  the  scenery — such  as  it  is. 


40  THE   LADY'S   LETTER-WRITE^. 

LETTER  XLY. 

To   a    Gentleman    who   had   sent    an   (Absurdly    romantia 
Letter. 

CINCINNATI,  April  25th,  18 — . 

Sin, — I  do  not  know  whether  your  epistle  was  intended 
ifc  a  jest,  in  which  case  its  absurdity  might  have  been  ex- 
cused on  the  grounds  of  its  plagiarisms.  But  if  you  can 
really  write  in  earnest  to  any  woman  whom  you  j&ofess  to 
esteem,  I  must  express  my  humble  opinion  that  such  is 
not  tke  proper  course  by  which  to  excite  a  reciprocal  feel- 
ing- 
Regretting  that  you  should  have  adopted  a  tone  of  wri- 
ting, which  neither  modern  usage,  nor  common  sense  at 
any  time,  could  sanction, 

I  regain, 

Sir, 

Your  obedient  servant,* 
To  Mr. .  '  . 


LETTER  XL VI. 

A  Negative,   on   the   Grounds  of  a  Pre-engagement. 
CHICAGO,  Jan.  15th,  18 — . 

SIR, — While  confessing  myself  honored  by  the  prefer- 
ence avowed  for  me  by  one  whom  I  have  every  reason  to 
respect  as  a  gentleman,  I  fccl  that  it  would  be  dishonor- 

*  The  editor  of  the  present  work  believes  that  an  answer  like  the  above 
might  often  put  to  the  blush  the  '*  gents"  and  •'  dandies"  who  fancy  that 
extravagant  hyperbole  is  the  readiest  way  to  a  woman's  heart, 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  47 

able  in  me  to  keep  you  in  any  suspense,  where  the  answqr 
must  be  unfavorable. 

For  some  time  past,  I  have  been  engaged  to  a  gentle- 
man, from  whom  I  have  every  reason  to  expect  happiness 
and  comfort.  I  must,  therefore,  hope  that  you  will  hence- 
forth regard  me  only  in  the  light  of  a  friend ;  and,  with 
the  sincere  wish  that  such  a  partner  as  you  deserve  may 
speedily  fall  to  your  lot, 

Believe  me, 
Sir, 

Your  obliged  and  faithful  friend, 
"To  ; ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  XL VII. 

A  Negative,   on   the    Grounds  qf   Dislik*. 

HUDSON,  April  15th,  18 — . 

Sir, —  I  confess  that  your  letter  much  surprised  me. 
Your  conduct  in  a  recent  matter,  in  which  my  poor 
mother's  interests  were  so  intimately  concerned,  ought  to 
have  taught  you  that,  whatever  you  may  be  in  your  own 
opinion,  you  will  never  possess  any  sympathy  on  the  part 
of 

To .  . 


LETTER  XL VIII. 
'Anotlier,  on   the    Grounds  of    Levity. 

HARTFORD,  Jun3  15th,  18 — . 

SIR, — It  is  to  my  sorrow  that  I  confess  that  there  was  a 
time  when  your  addresses  would  have  both  flattered  and 


48  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

pleased  me.     That  time  has  long  since  passed.     Why — 
you  best  know. 

I  could  never  consent  to  unite  myself  to  a  man  who  has 
marred  the  happiness  of  more  than  one  young  person,  by 
his  total  forgetfulness  of  the  proper  duties  of  the  stronger 
sex  to  the  weaker.  I  have  heard,  unhappily,  too  much  of 
your  last  year's  conduct,  to  feel  any  compunction  in  at 
once  declining  any  more  intimate  acquaintance. 

AVishing,  however,  that  you  may  be  more  true  to  four- 
self,  and  that  the  dangerous  levity,  which  must  eventually 
prove  more  fatal  to  your  happiness  than  it  has  done  hith- 
erto, may  be  exchanged  for  a  more  manly,  because  more 
innocent,  line  of  conduct, 

Believe  me, 

Your  sincere  well-wisher, 


LETTER  XLIX. 

Another,    to  an   old  Acquaintance,   on   the    Grounds  of 
Poverty. 

ALBANY,  October  5th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — To  say  that  I  do  not  feel  pleased  and  flat- 
tered at  your  proposal,  would  be  to  tell  a  useless  untruth. 
I  feel  deeply,  almost  painfully,  the  conviction  that  your 
kind  expressions  are  dictated  by  sincerity,  and  am  the 
more  grieved  to  be  compelled  to  discourage  them. 

But  how  are  we  situated  ?  What  hope  is  them  of  hap- 
piness with  our  unsettled  prospects,  and  worse  than  small 
means  ?  Industry  has  doubtless  ii3ver  been,  and  never  will 
be,  wanting  on  your  part ;  but  the  want  of  patronage  and 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  49 

capital  will  ever  hold  back  the  efforts  of  the  most. strenu- 
ous. For  my  own  part,  I  can  do  little  to  make  myself  an 
incumbrance  upon  the  efforts  of  one  so  young  as  yourself. 

No,  my  dear ,  we  must  wait  for  better  times,  and  not 

entail  misery  beyond  calculation  upon  others,  as  well  as 
ourselves,  by  a  too  hasty  step. 

Let  us,  therefore,  continue,  as  before,  friends ;  and  if 
better  times  come,  it  will  theft  be  for  us  to  talk  about 
matrimony.  Believe  me,  then,  with  every  good  and  kind- 
ly wish, 

Your  faithful  friend, 


LETTER  L. 

On  receiving  a  Birth-day    Congratulation. 

KINGSTON,  July  5th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — If  anything  could  compensate  for  your 

absence  from  me  yesterday,  it  is  the  charming,  kind  letter 
in  which  you  poured  out  your  thoughts  so  fervently.  I 
have  read,  and  read,  and  cried  over  it,  till  I  begin  to  be- 
lieve that  tli ere  is  even  a  degree  ef  painfulness  in  feeling 
oneself  beloved. 

We  had,  in  all  other  respects,  a  most  delightful  day. 
My  friends  here  make  so  much  of  me,  that  I  am  afraid  I 
shall  be  spoilt  by  over-indulgence.  We  were  engaged  in 
a  pic-nic  the  whole  of  the  afternoon,  and  came  home 
heartily  tired.  This,  however,  did  not  prevent  a  great 

deal  of  music  and  singing  in  the  evening,  and  it  was 

o'clock  before  we  parted.  I  have  little  news  to  convey 
to  you — indeed,  our  letters  are  so  frequent,  that  they  al- 


50  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITEB. 

most  anticipate  events.  I  trust  that  you  are  getting  on 
well  with  your  Oxford  work,  and  that  the  next  Commemo- 
ration* will  see  you  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  instead  of  a  sleeve- 
less under-graduate. 

My  aunt,  Mr.  and  Mrs. ,  and  all  here  unite  in  their 

kindest  regards,  and,  with  sincere  gratitude  for  your  con- 
stant tenderness  and  affection, 
Believe  me, 

Your  ever  loving  and  faithful 


To ,  Esq. 

LETTER  LI. 

Complaining  of  not  receiving  a  Letter. 

ST.  Louis,  May  2nd,  18 — . 

DEAR , — No  letter  again !     You  are  really  growing 

intolerably  negligent,  and  I  shall  begin  to  think  that  you 
are  getting  tired  of  me,  and  that  some  new  attraction  is 
in  the  field.  Knowing  how  anxious  I  am  respecting  your 
health  and  welfare,  I  am  sure  you  will  give  me  the  credit 
of  not  writing  from  idle  jealousy,  although  I  really  feel 
grieved  and  anxious  at  your  unusual  neglect. 

I  have  no  news  just  at  present — indeed,  I  am  too  much 
out  of  spirits  to  write  at  any  great  length.  Pray  hasten 
to  remove  all  doubt  from  the  mind  of  one  whose  thoughts, 
day  and  night,  are  upon  you  only. 

Your  affectionate 

To ,  Esq.  — . 

*  The  grand  annual  feettval  at  top  University. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.  51 

LETTER  LIL 

A   Lady  on  sending  her   Miniature   to  lier   Suitor. 

BOSTON,  July  llth,  18—. 

DEAR  SIR, — Accept  my  very  best  thanks  for  your  kind 
inquiries  regarding  my  health,  which  I  am  happy  to  say  is 
as  good  as  usual.  My  thoughts  often  recur  to  the  Jiappy 
hours  which  we  have  passed  together — hours  which  I 
have  thought  have  passed  like  minutes,  so  full  were  they 
of  the  pleasure  which  I  ever  feel  in  your  company.  While 
I  feel  that  my  personal  pretensions  are  but  humble,  I  be- 
lieve that  you  will  be  pleased  with  the  enclosed  minia- 
ture, the  view  of  which,  in  my  absence,  may  call  to  your 
mind  a  remembrance  of  me.  While  I  feel  that  the  like- 
ness is  rather  a  flattering  one,  still,  should  it  but  serve  to 
bring  me  to  your  remembrance,  the  skill  of  the  artist  will 
not  have  been  exercised  in  vain.  Pray  accept  it  as  a 
friendly  memento  from 

My  dear  Sir, 

Ever  sincerely  yours, 

To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  LIII. 

On  receiving  a  Miniature  from   lier   Suitor. 

HANOVER  PLACE,  June  3rd,  18—. 

MY  DEAR , — I  never  thought  that  any  fresh  proof 

of  your  attachment  was  needed,  nevertheless,  I  have  this 
day  received  another,  and  that  one  of  the  most  acceptable 
I  could  have  desired,  viz.  the  portrait  of  him  whom,  of 


53  Tins  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

all  others,  I  am  most  desirous  to  keep  in  recollection.  In 
contemplating  this  specimen  of  the  artist's  skill,  I  feel 
that  it  will  ever  recall  you  forcibly  to  my  recollection,  and 
in  so  doing,  will  be  a  constant  source  of  delight  to  my 
mind,  and  will  afford  me  some  kind  of  solace  during  your 
absence.  I  need  scarcely  add  that  I  accept  your  gift  with 
unspeakable  delight,  although,  at  present,  I  have  nothing 
better  to  send  you  in  return  than  a  fresh  assurance  of  my 
most  constant  attachment,  which,  I  trust,  may  prove  as 
welcome  to  you  as  your  treasured  miniature  has  proved  to 
me,  and  in  this  hope  I  remain, 

My  dear , 

Ever  yours  affectionately, 


LETTER  LIV. 

From   a  young  Lady  in  Answer   to   a  Proposal  for  a 
private  Meeting. 

WOODLAWN,  June  5th,  18 — . 

SIR, — I  am  altogether  surprised  at  the  proposal  in  your 

letter  of .  Although  our  acquaintance  has  been  of 

but  short  standing,  I  believe  my  conduct  has  never  been 
such  as  to  give  you  reason  to  suppose  me  capable  of  an 
act  which,  in  my  opinion,  is  equally  incompatible  with 
truth  and  female  propriety.  Known  as  you  are  to  both 
my  parents,  I  can  see  no  object  in  your  seeking  a  clandes- 
tine interview,  and  my  feelings  both  for  my  own  and  their 
honor  are  such  as  would  forbid  my  sanctioning  any  such 
conduct. 

What  I  know  of  you,  however,  is  so  favorable,  that  I 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  53 

am  willing  to  believe  that  your  intentions  ought  not  to  be 
harshly  interpreted.     Do  not  peril  that  good  reputation 
by  a  conduct  so  unworthy  yourself.     If  your  intentions 
be  really  honorable,  I  am  sure  you  will  find  no  obstacles 
on  the  part  of  my  parents,  but  I  must  utterly  decline  any 
correspondence  of  a  clandestine  character. 
Yours  very  truly, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  LY.- 

Another  more  favorable. 

• 

ELIZABETIIPORT,  Jan.  3id,  18 — . 

DEAR , — Although  my  own  conscience  tells  me  that 

anything  like  clandestine  conduct  should  be  avoided,  still 
I  feel  that  we  are  most  unhappily  placed,  and  that  the  un- 
due opposition  on  the  part  of  my  aunt,  in  seeking  to  force 
upon  me  a  man  whom  I  dislike,  excuses  to  some  extent 
what  I  cannot  justify.  Would  that  we  could  both  act 
uprightly,  and  cherish  an  honorable  attachment  (such  as 
I  feel  yours  to  be)  without  restraint !  A  few  months  more, 
however,  will  see  me  mistress  of  my  own  fortune  and  lib- 
erty, and  then  there  will  be  no  farther  need  of  concealment. 

I  shall  be  walking at o'clock,  when  we  shall 

perhaps  gain  an  opportunity  of  a  few  minutes'  conversa- 
tion. 

Hoping  sincerely  that  fairer  prospects  may  yet  arise  for 
both  of  us,  believe  me, 

Dear  — r-? 

Ever  affectionately  yours, 


54  TUB  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

LETTER  LVI. 
Prom   a  young   Lady   ta  her  Mother. 

NEWPORT,  September  3rd,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  MAMMA, — From  wbat  you  know  of  New- 
port you  will  not  be  surprised  to  hear  that  I  have 
enjoyed  an  incessant  round  of  gaiety  and  pleasure,  m$ 
health  too,"  is  completely  recruited,  and  my  friends  are  so 
kind,  that  I  almost  feel  at  home. 

But  I  have  another  more  serious  matter  to  confess  to 
you,  at  which  I  hope  you  will  not  feel  angry.  It  seems 
almost  ungrateful  to  think  of  loving  any  one  but  you, 
but,  O  Mamma,  if  you  saw  Henry  ,  you  would  for- 
give me,  I  am  sure.  He  is  so  handsome,  so  gentle  in  his 
manners,  "and  yet  so  sensible  and  accomplished !  We 

met  at  ifce  - Ball,  and  he  scarcely  quitted  my  side  the 

whole  evening.  Mrs. has  so  high  an  opinion  of  him, 

that  she  has  repeatedly  invited  him  to  her  house,  until 
)iis  visits  have  become  of  almost  daily  occurrence.  He  is 
most  honorable  and  straight-forward,  and  only  waits  per- 
mission to  write  to  you,  in  order  to  give  you  full  particu- 
lars as  to  his  condition  and  prospects. 

Pray,  dear  Mamma,  forgive  me  when  I  confess  that  my 
feelings  are  deeply  enlisted  in  his  favor,  and  that  I  feel 
as  if  much  of  my  future  happiness  depended  upon  our 
union.  I  wish  you  were  here  to  counsel  and  advise  with 
me,  for  never  before  did  I  so  much  feel  my  own  heart 
master  of  my  reason, 

I  hope  you  will  write  directly,  or  come  immediately  to 
your  affectionate,  but  anxious,  child, 

To  Mrs. . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  5o 

LETTER  LYII. 

The  Answer. 

NEW  YORK,  September  7th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAREST  CHILD, — Make  yourself  perfectly  easy  as  ta 
my  consent  to  anything  that  can  promote  your  happiness. 

If  ~frfa  be  what  you  represent,  my  fondest  wishes 

that  you  might  meet  with  a  desirable  partner  in  fife  will 
be  realized.  At  tlie  same  time,  do  not  be  too  hasty  in 
giving  an  unqualified  assent  to  his  proposals,  but  take 
time  to  leaB-n  those  minute  shades  of  disposition  and 
character  which  nothing  but  constant  acquaintance  can 
display. 

I  shall  be  at  Newport  on  the  - — th,  and  shall  not  only 
be  delighted  to  meet  my  dear  child  again,  but  to  be  in- 
troduced  to  the  man  whom  she  has  thought  so  worthy  of 
her  affections. 

Your  ever  loving  mother, 


To  Miss 


LETTER  LYIII. 

To   the    Gentleman. 


T,  Sep.  5th,  18  —  . 
MY  DEAR  SIR,  —  You  will  IDC  delighted  to  hear  that 
Mamma  is  every  way  favorable  to  our  attachment.  I 
say  our^-  for  I  now  feel  under  no  restraint  in  confessing 
that  my  partiality  for  you  is  closely  akin  to  a  deeper  feel- 
ing. Let  us,  however,  (as  she  herself  advises),  seek  to 


56  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

know  each  other's  temper  and  character  more  thoroughly 
ere  we  take  too  decided  steps.  Let  us  learn  each  other's 
little  humors  and  wishes,  that  we  may  the  better  "know 
wherein  we  have  to  make  allowance  for,  and  yield  to,  one 
another. 

I  trust  we  shall  see  my  Mamma  in  a  few  days,  when  I 
am  sure  her  favorable  opinion  of  you  will  be  more  and 
more  confirmed. 

Believe  me, 
Dear  Sir, 

Very  sincerely  yours, 
To ,  Esq.  — . 


LETTER  LIX. 

A    Widow,   in  Answer   to   Proposals. 

KINGSTON,  July  14th,  18—. 

DEAR  SIR, — I  take  the  first  opportunity  of  acknowledg- 
ing the  receipt  of  the  flattering  letter  with  which  you 
have  favored  me.  You  wish  to  know  whether  I  am  will- 
ing to  enter  again  into  the  marriage  state,  and  in  event  of 
my  being  so,  whether  I  should  be  adverse  to  admitting  you 
in  the  quality  of  a  suitor.  I  assure  you,  sir,  I  feel  flat- 
tered by  the  latter  question,  and  as  to  the  former,  I  can 
only  say,  that  I  have  no  dislike  to  entering  again  into  that 
state.  But  our  acquaintance  is  at  present  imperfect,  and 
we  are  comparatively  strangers  to  each  other's  tastes  and 
tempers.  I  need  scarcely  observe  that  an  intimate  know- 
ledge of  such  matters  is  absolutely  requisite,  before  we 
can  decide  whether  we  are  fitted  for  enjoying  together  a 
partnership  in  life.  Meanwhile,  I  have  no  objection  to 
allowing  such  freedom  of  acquaintance  as  shall  enable  us 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  57 

both  to  arrive  at  this  knowledge,  and  can  therefore  only 
say,  in  conclusion,  that  the  commencement  of  your  ad- 
dresses will  meet  with  no  obstacle  from, 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  most  faithfully, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  LX. 

In   the  Negative. 

KINGSTON,  July  14th,  18 — . 

DEAR  Sin, — I  have  just  perused  the  flattering  letter 
With  which  3^011  have  favored  me.  Of  late,  whilst  enjoy- 
ing the  pleasure  of  your  company  I  have  not  failed  to  ob- 
serve that  your  behavior  towards  myself  has  been  more 
than  ordinarily  attentive ;  and  that  on  more  than  one 
occasion  you  have  rendered  yourself  of  essential  service 
to  my  interests.  Such  conduct  has  not  failed  in  attaining 
my  favor  and  friendship,  but  has  not  had  the  effect  of  in- 
spiring a  deeper  passion — a  passion  which  I  have  totally 
renounced,  whether  on  account  of  the  advance  of  years 
(as  the  case  may  ~be),  or  of  attachment  to  the  memory  of 
my  late  husband,  it  is  immaterial  for  me  to  state.  Had  I 
allowed  myself  to  suppose  that  the  attentions  to  which 
I  have  just  alluded  were  prompted  by  any  other  feel- 
ing but  that  of  simple  friendship,  I  should  certainly 
have  endeavored  to  repress  them.  Hence  you  may  infer, 
that,  while  I  decline  the  honor  of  your  addresses,  I  still 
remain,  with  best  wishes  for  your  future  welfare, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  sincere  friend, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


58  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

LETTER  LXI. 
To  an  accepted  Suitor. 

YONKERS,  April  12th,  18 — „ 

MY  DEAR , — Your  kind  and  affectionate  letter  gave 

us  much  pleasure,  especially  as  you  state  that  it  is  your 
intention  to  come  down  next  Midsummer,  and  that  you 
purpose  settling  here.  I  can  assure  you,  we  shall  all  be  on 
the  tiptoe  of  expectation  for  your  arrival ;  what  delights 
dear  father  and  mother  the  most  is,  that  you  propose  set- 
tling in  the  country,  as  in  that  case  we  shall  not  be  de- 
prived of  seeing  each  other,  and  they  will  be  partakers 
of  our  pleasures,  which  could  not  b#,  had  you  made  up 
your  mind  to  reside  in  New  York. 

I  have  received  your  pretty  present,  and  will  repay  you 
for  your  kind  remembrance  of  me,  with  a  token  more 
acceptable  than  money,  w hen  I  see  you ;  until  then,  my 

dearest  -, 

I  remain, 

Yours,  affectionately, 

To -,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  LXII. 

After  a  Misunderstanding. 

April  3d,  18—. 

DEAR , — Your  kind  letter  satisfies  me,  and  I  now 

regret  that,  in  the  anxiety  of  my  affection  for  you,  I 
should  have  given  way  to  anything  resembling  a  doubt. 
You  allow  that  appearances  were  a  little  against  you, 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITISH.  59 

and  that  I  had  some  reason  for  complaint.     Let  no  more 
be  said  on  the  subject,  but  hasten  to  the  company  of 
Your  affectionate  and  faithful," 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  LXIII. 

More   serious. 

July  23rd,  18—. 

SIR, — The  attempt  you  make  to  excuse  your  conduct  is 
neither  straightforward  nor  satisfactory.  It  is,  in  fact, 
only  exculpating  yourself  by  admitting  a  fault  as  great 
as  the  one  of  which  I  complain  (here  slate  particulars). 
Under  these  circumstances,  whatever  pain  it  may  cause 
me,  I  must  avow  my  determination  never,  under  any  con- 
sideration, to  admit  of  your  addresses,  feeling  persuaded 
that  the  consequences  would  not  be  favorable  to  the  hap- 
piness of  either. 

I  remain,  Sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
To  Mr.  .  . 


LETTER  LXIY. 

Cojifcssing  a   change   of  feeling. 

NEW  YORK,  June  4th,  18 — . 

MY  £>EAR  SIR, — I  fear  my  avowal  may  give  you  some 
pain ;  but  it  is  better  to  be  sincere  and  open  in  matters 
where  the  happiness  of  another  is  concerned. 

To  spoak  plainly,  then,  I  feel  that  my  sentiments  in  re- 


GO  'A'Hii   ^ADY's  LETTKB-WHITEB, 

gard  to  yourself  are  no  longer  what  they  were.  While 
my  esteem  for  your  character  remains  unshaken,  I  still 
cannot  blind  myself  to  the  fact  that  I  do  not  cherish  that 
affection  which  a  wife  ought  to  feel  for  her  husband,  and 
without  which  the  married  life  is  one  continual  .scene  of 
torment  and  vexation.  You  will  not,  I  .am  sure,  give  me 
credit  for  acting  from  mere  fickleness — especially  as  I  do 
not  at  present  entertain  a  partiality  for  any  other  ; — but 
you  must  pardon  me  when  I  express  my  firm  belief  that 
all  correspondence  between  us  had  better  cease,  and  that 
such  letters  as  have  passed  between  us  should  be  returned 
at  the  first  convenient  opportunity. 

Assuring  you,  that,  as  a  friend  I  shall  constantly  re- 
member you  with  esteem, 

I  remain, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  faithfully, 

To ,  Esq. . 


LETTER  LXV.  - 

A    female   Servant   to   lier   Suitor. 

"YViLLiAMSBUKG,  May,  1,  18 — . 

DEAR , — I  am  very  happy  to  receive  your  kind  let- 
ter, and  to  hear  that  you  are  doing  so  well.  My  mistress 
is  so  satisfied  with  me  that  she  has  increased  my  wages, 
besides  making  me  a  handsome  present  of  clothes.  I  am 
in  hopes  that,  with  care  and  economy,  we  may  both  of 
us  save  something,  and  not  start  into  married  life,  as 
many  do,  without  a  farthing  to  help  us. 

As  my  mistress  kindly  permits  me  to  go  out  on  Sunday 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  Gl 

aftenioon,  I  shall  hope  to  met  you  as  usual  at ,  till 

when, 

I  remain, 

Your  affectionate 


LETTER   LXVL 

Another. 

HAMMOND  STREET,  Saturday,  l2th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — I  received  your  kind  letter  of  the  — tli, 

and  am  happy  to  hear  that  you  are  well  iiv'liealth,  and 
giving  satisfaction  to  your  employer.  I  look  forward  with 
anxiety  to  the  day  when  we  shall  be  united  forever,  and 
when  I  shall  enjoy  the  protection  of  an  honest  and  per- 
severing husband. 

Continue  to  go  on  as  you  have  done,  and  assure  your- 
self of  the  constant  affection  of 


LETTER 

Another,    to   a  proposal  of    immediate  Marriage. 

WlLLIAMSBURG,    JuilC  5 til,  18 . 

DEAR , — I  am,  I  can  assure  you,  quite  as  anxious  for 

our  union  as  you  can  be,  but  I  feel  that  prudence  is  neces- 
sary. AYe  are  both  young,  myself  especially,  and  it  is  of 
no  use  for  us  to  rush  into  a  state  of  life  which*  we  have 
not  the  means  of  supporting.  Should  you  be  so  fortu- 


62  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

nate  as  to  obtain  the  situation  of  which  Mr. has  held 

out  hopes,  we  shall  be  able  to  marry  without  fear,  as 
I  can  always  earn  something  (state  employment),  and  hope 
to  be  as  industrious  as  a  wife  ought  to  be.  Do  not  think 
that  it  is  any  coldness  that  makes  me  object  to  our  imme- 
diate happiness ;  it  is  only  prudence  that  makes  me  wish 
to  spare  ourselves  the  risk  of  that  poverty,  which  too 
often  leads  to  dissipation  and  misery  on  both  sides.  We 
have  seen  so  many  sad  examples,  that  I  am  sure  you  will 
take  in  good  part  these  words  from 

Your  faithful 


LETTER  LXVIH. 
To   a  young   Journeyman,   advising   caution* 

NEW  YORK,  September  13th,  18 — . 

PEAR , — I  had  no  idea  you  would  have  been  so 

hasty  as  to  have  made  a  proposal  to  me  within  a  few 
months  after  being  out  of  your  apprenticeship.  I  cannot 
give  you  a  positive  denial ;  but  I  think  that  prudence  re- 
quires some  little  delay,  to  enable  you  to  realize  those 
means  of  ofomfort  which  you,  as  well  as  myself,  I  am  sure, 
would  feel  the  want  of;  and  I  believe  they  -are  more 
likely  to  be  obtained  by  either  of  us  while  single.  If 
your  love  be  as  true  as  you  profess,  it  will  spur  you  on  to 
the  attainment  of  them,  and  you  will  not  regret  a  slight, 

but  useful  delay.     I  think,  my  dear ,  your  own  good 

sense  will  make  you  think  as  I  do  on  the  subject ;  and 
that  the  better  provision  we  make,  before  entering  upon 
a  mocb  of  life,  which,  in  all  probability,  may  be  produc- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER.  63 

live  of  a  variety  of  expenses,  however  frugally  we  may 
manage,  will  be  the  most  likely  way  to  ensure  our  lasting 
happiness,  and  the  approbation  of  those  around  us. 
Trusting  shortly  to  see  you, 

I  remain,  my  dear , 

Yours  most  truly, 
To  — .  . 


LETTER  LXIX. 

From   a  Lady^s  Maid   to  a  young    Tradesman. 

PHILADELPHIA,  August  12th,  18 — . 

DEAR  Mr. , — I  feel  very  much  pleased  and  nattered 

by  the  compliment  you  pay  me  in  wishing  me  to  become 
your  wife.  My  mistress  is  so  kind  to  me,  that  I  felt 
bound  to  confess  to  her  that  I  was  favorably  disposed  to 
your  addresses,  and  she  is  willing  not  only  to  consent  to 
my  receiving  your  addresses,  but  promises  to  befriend  us 
to  the  extent  of  her  power. 

You    are  therefore   at  liberty  to   call  at  some- 
times, but  we  must  take  care  not  to  trespass  too  much 

upon  good  nature.     Perhaps evening  may  suit  you, 

as  I  shall  then  be  disengaged ;  if  so,  write  and  tell  me. 
Meanwhile,  believe  me, 

Yours  very  truly, 


To  Mr. 


LETTEK  LXX. 

From   a   Servant,   refusing  Addresses. 

BROOKLYN,  April  4th,  18 — . 
JOHN, — I  do  not  know  what  could  have  led  you  to  be- 


04  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITEK. 

lieve  that  I  had  any  partiality  for  you.  Such  is  not  the 
case.  I  wish  you  well,  as  I  have  no  reason  for  Avishing 
you  otherwise,  but  I  havo  no  desire  for  any  attentions 
from  you  of  any  kind. 

Yours, 
To  John .  . 


LETTER   LXXI. 

Another. 

GRAND  STREET,  April  1st,  18 — . 

THOMAS, — I  have  no  wish  to  be  married  at  present,  and 
therefore  must  decline,  with  thanks,  the  compliment  you 
wish  to  pay  me.  With  hearty  good-will,  however,  you 
may  believe  me, 

Your  well-wisher, 


LETTER  LXXII. 

Another. 

May  5th,  IS—. 

MR.  CHARLES, — I  have  already  told  you  that  I  do  not 
approve  of  many  of  your  habits,  and  that  I  would  never 
marry  a  man  on  whose  temper  and  character  I  could 
not  firmly  depend.  Numerous  instances  of  your  conduct 
of  late  have  proved  to  me  that  I  am  right  in  my  opinion, 
and  I  am  sorry,  for  your  own  sake,  that  you  should  again 
repeat  your  addresses. 

I  can  only  say,  that  I  shall  not  feel  bound  to  reply  to 
any  further  letters  on  the  subject,  and  remain, 

Yours, 

To  Charles .  . 


TILE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  G5 

LETTER  LXXIII. 

To   a   Sweetheart    who   is  ordered  on    March. 

RUTGERS  STREET,  June  12th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — I  cannot  express  my  feelings  as  I  reflect 

that  you  are  so  soon  to  be  parted  from  me,  and  that  I  may 
possibly  never  behold  you  more.  It  is  a  sad  thing  to  love 
sincerely  one  who  is  in  so  fearful  a  profession  as  war,  but 
we  must  resign  ourselves  to  God's  will,  and  believe  that 
all  is  for  the  best. 

I  should  like  to  have  once  more  bid  you  farewell,  but 
your  sudden  orders  render  it  impossible,  so,  wishing  that 
God  may  watch  over  you  in  danger,  I  pray  that  you  may 
once  more  return  to 

Your  affectionate , 

To .  . 


LETTER   LXXIV. 

To   a   Sailor. 

NEW  YORK,  June  12th,  18—. 

DEAR , — I  cannot  tell  you  how  I  have  cried  over 

your  last  letter.  How  cruel  a  thing  is  war  to  tear  us  from 
one  another  just  as  we  were  hoping  to  be  united  forever. 
I  wish  you  had  any  other  trade  than  so  roving  a  business 
as  a  sailor's  life,  for  one  never  feels  certain.  I  assure  you 
I  am  in  constant  anxiety  and  trouble  about  you,  and  I  al- 
most wish  we  had  never  met  rather  than  been  forced  to 
part  with  such  a  prospect  of  danger  before  us. 

God  bless  you,  dear ,  and  may  you  return  safe  to 

Your  faithful 
To .  . 


G6  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

LETTER  LXXV. 

Another,  on  his  Return. 

UEW  YORK,  Sept.  loth,  18—. 

DEAR , — How  delightful  is  the  news  of  your  return. 

It  has  taken  such  a  load  of  sorrow  off  my  mind,  and  in- 
spired so  much  hope,  that  I  feel  perfectly  happy.  How  I 
long  to  see  vou ! 

How  happy  must  I  also  be  to  learn,  that  by  your  tem- 
perance and  care,  you  have  saved  money  enough  to  enable 
you  to  quit  the  dangerous  life  you  have  hitherto  led,  and 
settle  in  a  safer  and  quieter  business.  Believe  me,  that, 
when  we  are  once  united,  no  pains  shall  be  wanting  on 
my  side  to  render  your  life  a  happy  one,  and  to  make 
amends  for  the  severe  toils  and  dangers  through  which 
you  have  passed.  Hoping  to  see  you  soon  after  you  re- 
turn  from  Liverpool, 

I  remain, 

Your  affectionate  and  faithful 

To .  . 


LETTER  LXXVI. 

To   a  younfj  Farmer. 

YONKERS,  August  5th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — I  cannot  say  I  am  displeased  at  your  pro- 
posal, but  I  want  to  know  you  better  before  I  make  up 
my  mind.  Mother  says  that  "  they  who  ride  fast  never 
ride  long,"  and  I  think  we  shall  both  do  better  if  we  try 
to  know  more  about  one  another  than  we  do  at  present. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.  C7 

Mother  is  willing  for  you  to  visit  here,  and  I  shall  make 
no  opposition,  as  I  cannot  say  I  dislike  you. 

Yours  faithfully, 
To .  . 


LETTER  LXXVII. 

To  an  urgent   Request   to  name   the  Day  of  Nuptials. 

YONKERS,  October  12th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — You  are  so  very  urgent  that  I  suppose  I 

must  consent  to  the  day  you  name,  the  — th  of next. 

I  have  settled  with  your  two  sisters  to  be  my  bridesmaids, 
and  shall  busy  myself  in  making  preparations.  Mean- 
while, I  suppose  we  shall  see  you  as  usual  every  evening 
after  work  is  over. 

Your  affectionate  wife  to  come 
To . 


LETTER    LXXYIII. 
To  ask  for  a  Bridesmaid. 

DEAR , — I  write  to  ask  you  whether  you  and  your 

sister  can  get  ready  by  the  — th  of  next ,  as  you  have 

kindly  promised  to  act  as  my  bridesmaids  on  the  impor- 
tant occasion :  — —  is  so  very  impatient,  that  I  cannot 
resist  him  any  longer.  I  shall  call  and  see  you  to-morrow, 
till  then, 

Believe  me, 

Your  sister  elect, 
To  Miss .  . 


C8  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER   LXXIX. 

The  Answer. 

YONKERS,  October  12th,  18 — . 

DEAR , — We  are  both  delighted  to  hear  that  the 

happy  day  is  fixed,  and  shall  set  to  work  directly  to  make 
ourselves  as  fine  as  possible,  in  our  quiet  humble  way 
Plain  white,  and  a  few  artificial  flowers  (which  we  shall 

coax  father  to  bring  from ),  will  be  all  that  we  shall 

require,  and  you  would  look  pretty  in  anything.  So  no 
more  at  present  from, 

Your  affectionate  sisters, 

To  Miss . 


LETTER  LXXX. 

From   a    Young   Lady,    Demonstrating  witli  her  future 
Husband  on  his  reckless  Life. 

RICHMOKD,  Oct.  18th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — It  is  with  pain  that  I  take  up  my  pen 

to  address  words  so  different  from  those  which  I  have 
hitherto  been  accustomed  to  address  to  you,  but  I  feel 
that,  between  persons  who  are  to  share  their  whole  lives 
in  common,  nothing  but  unqualified  sincerity  should  exist, 
and  I  therefore  venture  at  once  to  speak  my  whole  mind 
on  a  subject  of  vital  importance  to  us  both. 

I  have  observed  of  late  a  sad  change  in  your  habits, 

language,  and  associates.  Since  we  were  together  at , 

you  appear  to  have  assumed  a  taste  for  fast  life,  neither 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  CO 

natural  to  your  own  disposition,  nor  Calculated  to  qualify 

you  for  domestic  life.     Remember,  my  dear ,  that  our 

outset  in  life  will  be  but  an  humble  one,  and  that  economy 
and  perseverance  are  our  main  resources  if  we  hope 
to  arrive  at  competency.  The  society  of  young  men 

like *is  highly  prejudicial  to  you ;  they  are  possessed 

of  more  means  than  yourself,  and  though,  perhaps,  with- 
out the  willful  intention  of  so  doing,  are  luring  you  into 
a  taste  for  expense  which  will  give  you  a  disrelish  for  the 

tranquil  simplicity  of  home.     Believe  me,  dear. ,  that 

theoe  remarks  are  made  in  no  spirit  af-.intfcldling  censor- 
iousness,  but  that  they  come  truly  and  sincerely  from  one 
whose  whole  hopes 4  of  happiness  are  centered  in  y o • 
well-doing.  Think  how  bitter  must  be  my  sorrow  to  find 
that  a  mere  life  of  pleasure  should  estrange  you  from  me 
mid  consider  how  vexed  you  would  yourself  be  if  /dis- 
played that  neglige-nee  of  the  future  which  must  render 

all  happiness  an  impossibility.     Be  yourself,  my  dear , 

return  to  the  sound  and  manly  pursuits  which  have  hith- 
erto been  your  chief  study,  and  abandon  a  class  of  society 
which  can  only  unsettle  your  disposition,  and  distroy  your 
whole  prospects.  I  feel  assured  that  your  native  good- 
ness of  heart,  and  the  affection  you  have  so  often  plighted 
to  me,  will  make  you  take  this  remonstrance  in  good  part, 
and  that  you  will  not  think  ill  of  one  who  advises  you, 
not  as  being  older  and  more  experienced  than  yourself, 
but  as  loving  you  with  a  sincerity  that  alone  could  have 
prompted  this  address. 

God  bless  you,  dear ,  and  grant  that  we  may  both 

be  able  to  amend  our  own  faults,  and  bear  with  each 
other's. 

Yours  most  affectionately, 
To) .  ; 


70  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 


LETTER  LXXXI. 

From   a    Young  Lady   to  a   Young   Clergyman  who  7ias 
offered,  Marriage. 

BOSTON,  August  8th,  18 — . 
MY  DEAR  SIR, —  I  was,  indeed,  surprised  and  delighted 

by  my  visit  to  your  charming  little  church  last ,  and 

was  in  every  way  impressed  by  the  devout  behaviour  of 
the  congregation,  and  the  evident  pervading  influence  of 
the  clergyman  among  his  parishioners. 

I  must  own  that  the  favorable  impression  thus  formed 
of  yourself  has  increased  on  our  subsequent  meetings  at 
— ,  and  that  I  have  ever  looked  upon  the  life  of  a 
zealous  clergyman  as  a  guarantee  of  happiness  to  those 
around  him.  My  friends  here  (to  whom  I  have  communi- 
cated the  report  of  your  flattering  letter)  plead  strongly 
on  your  behalf;  and  I  must  candidly  confess  that  I  feel 
both  honored  and  pleased  by  your  preference.  I  cannot 
say  more  than  that  you  will  be  a  welcome  visitor  at 

,  and  that  I  hope  our  further  acquaintance  will  tend 

to  strengthen,  rather  than  diminish,  our  mutual  good-will. 
Believe  me, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  very  faithfully, 
To  the  Rev. .  . 


LETTER   LXXXH. 

To  a  Clergyman    in  reference   to   a  religious  Difficulty. 

BROOKLYN,  April  8th,  18 — . 
REVEREND  SIR, — In  presuming  to  address  you  as  a  per- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  71 

feet  stranger,  I  trust  the  importance  of  the  question  I  am 
about  to  ask  will  plead  my  excuse.  For  a  long  time  past 
I  have  had  a  strong  desire  to  receive  Holy  Communion, 
but  have  been  as  constantly  deterred  from  so  doing  by  a 
consciousness  of  my  unworthiness,  and  by  a  fear  that  my 
state  of  mind  is  not  such  as  to  render  me  a  fit  recipient. 
[Here  state  the  nature  of  tlie  doubts  entertained,  the  reasons 
for  such  doubts ;  also  mention  whether  you  have  been  con- 
firmed or  not.]* 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  venture  to  hope  that  you 
will  kindly  give  me  such  advise  as  you  may  deem  most 
suitable  to  my  condition,  and  I  will  gladly  wait  upon  you 
at  any  time  you  may  be  good  enough  to  appoint.  Mean- 
While  I  beg  to  remain, 

Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  and  respectful  servant  and  parish' 
ioner, 


To  the  Rev. 


LETTER  LXXXIH. 

From  one  married  Lady  in  India  to  another  in  England. 
BUNGARAPOORA,  June  13th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — After  so  many  years'  absence,  I  was, 

indeed,  delighted  to  hear  that  yourself  and  your  dear  lit- 
tle ones  were  alive  and  well,  and  that  your  married  life 

*  Generally  speaking,  such  matters  are  discussed  in  a  personal  call  up- 
on the  clergyman  in  the  vestry  after  service,  but  there  may  be  occasions 
in  which  such  a  course  is  inconvenient,  or  when  the  party  may  be  deter- 
red by  diffidence.  The  letter  here  given  will  probably  suggest  the  style 
which  should  then  be  adopted. 


73  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

appeared  to  have  realized  every  happiness  you  deserved. 

I  assure  you  that  I  plagued  Colonel with  questions 

till  he  was  utterly  incapable  of  saying  anything  more 
about  you,  and  that  the  delightful  idea  of  writing  once 
more  to  my  dear  old  friend  and  schoolfellow,  is  almost 
too  much  for  me  to  be-Here  it  true. 

My  life,  like  your  own,  has  been  a  nappy  and  prosper- 
ous one.  You  can  pardon  a  mother's  vanity,  when  I  as- 
sure you  that  my  children  are  all  that  I  could  wish.  , 

the  eldest,  is  already  established  in  a  situation  calculated 
to  place  him  in  an  excellent  position  hereafter,  while  his 
conduct  is  such  as  to  make  him  beloved  both  as  a  son  and 

a  brother.  ,  whom  you  recollect  as  a  little  thing  in 

a  white  frock  and  blue  sash,  is  engaged  to  the  eldest  son 

of  Colonel ,  who  bids  fair  to  make  her  an  excellent 

husband,  and  who  likewise  possesses  interest  likely  to  in- 
sure him  future  success. 

As  for  the  younger  ones,  I  assure  you  that  they  are  as 
amiable  children  as  (allowing  for  the  inevitable  whims 
and  mischief  natural  to  all  of  us)  I  could  hope  for.  Baby 
(who  is  just  fifteen  months  old)  is  universally  voted  a 
prodigy  of  talent,  and  is  petted  and  spoilt  by  everybody. 
My  dear  husband,  who  is  never  happy  except  with  his 
children  around  him,  has  so  firm,  and  yet  so  kindly  an 
influence  over  them,  that  we  are  able  to  treat  them  as 
friends,  and  waive  the  stern  control  which  is  unhappily 
required,  and  sometimes  injudiciously  practised  in  many 
families. 

Now  that  we  have  once  more  resumed  correspondence, 
I  hope  that  our  letters  may  be  less  like  "  angels'  visits" 
than  heretofore,  and  that  I  may  hear  all  about  you  and 
yours.  Should  we  return  to  dear  England  (as  I  pray  we 
may  be  enabled  to  do  ere  long),  we  shall  then  be  reunited 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER.  7:J 

as  in  old  days,  and  be  able  to  compare  notes  as  to  all  that 
lias  befallen  both  of  us  during  our  too-long  separation. 

With  a  prayer  for  every  blessing  on  yourself,  your  hus- 
band, and  dear  children,  believe  me, 

Dear , 

Your  ever  aifectionate  friend  and  companion, 


To  Mrs. 


LETTER   LXXXIY. 

A   letter  of    Condolence  on   the    Death    of   a    Husband. 

CHICAGO,  June  18th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — If  any  consolation  can  be  afforded 

under  so  heavy  an  affliction  as  you  have  just  experienced, 
it  must  come  from  a  higher  power  than  mine.  Your  own 
strong  sense  of  religion,  and  of  our  duty  of  resignation  to 
a  power  that  is  beyond  our  control,  and  a  will  that  is  ever 
beneficently  directed  towards  our  good,  must  uphold  you 
in  this  most  bitter  trial.  I  well  know  how  painful  the 
well-meant,  but  often  mistaken,  officiousness  of  friends 
may  be  on  such  occasions-,  or  I  should  have  hastened  to 
your  side,  and  sought  to  assuage  the  pangs  of  your  over- 
worn spirit. 

It  were  a  melancholy  pleasure  to  dwell  upon  the  virtues 
and  accomplishments  of  your  late  beloved  husband ;  but 
the  subject  is  too  painful  for  me,  and,  in  the  confidence  that 
he  is  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  everlasting  happiness,  such 

as,  my  dear ,  even  you  could  not  have  realized  to  him 

on  earth,  I  hope  that  you  will  support  your  spirits  both 
for  your  own  and  your  children's  sake,  and  look  forward 


74  THE   LADY'S   LETTER- WHITER. 

to  that  brighter  and  happier  world  in  which  we  shall  go 
to  those  who  cannot  return  to  us. 
God  comfort  you, 

Dear . 

Your  affectionate  and  sorrowing  friend, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  LXXXV. 

The  same,   on  a    Child's  Death. 

NEW  YORK,  July  5th,  18—. 

MY  DEAR , — If  anything  could  have  caused  me  es- 
pecial pain,  it  was  the  news  of  your  sad  bereavement. 
How  I  remember  your  dear  child !  Affectionate,  lively, 
and  intelligent,  ever  displaying  a  thoughtfulness  beyond 
his  years,  and  holding  forth  hopes  of  happiness  in  after 
times  which  will  scarcely  bear  reflection. 

It  has,  indeed,  been  a  heavy  blow,  and  I  scarcely  know 
how  to  talk  of  consolation  under  so  bitter  an  affliction- 

But  think,  my  dear ,  of  One  who  "  careth  for  all," 

who  loves  little  children  beyond  others,  and  think  of  the 
bright  and  never-ending  future  life  of  that  dear  child, 
whose  spirit  has  passed  away  but  for  a  brief  period,  whose 
soul  only  waits  in  heaven  to  hail  the  mother  from  whom 
he  has  been  parted. 

I  can  say  no  more ;  human  consolations  are  weak  and 
poorly.  May  a  higher  power  do  that  which  I  cannot ! 

Ever  sincerely  yours, 

To  Mrs.  .  . 


TIIK  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  75 

LETTER  LXXXVI. 

The    same,   on  a  Reverse  of   Fortune. 

STATEN  ISLAND,  Jan.  3rd,  18 — . 

DEAR , — I  am  truly  pained  to  hear  of  the  melan- 
choly change  in  your  circumstances.  I  had  hoped  that 
your  husband's  position  and  connections  would  have  pre- 
vented the  possibility  of  his  embarking  in  any  scheme 
where  there  seemed  room  for  uncertainty.  But,  unhappi- 
ly, the  speculative  spirit  of  the  age  is  too  seductive  to  be 
easily  withstood,  and  we  are  every  day  hearing  of  families 
being  reduced  to  absolute  poverty,  more  from  mischance 
than  wilful  error. 

But  you  must  not  only  cheer  up,  but  labor  to  cheer  your 
husband  likewise.  Let  him  find  that  he  possesses  a  wife  ] 
who  will  not  display  her  annoyance  at  the  deprivation  of 
many  (perhaps  unnecessary)  luxuries  of  life,  and  whose 
determination  to  economise  will  make  poverty  seem  less 
poor,  and  whose  affection  will  insure  him  that  comfort 
which  the  wealthiest  position,  without  undivided  affec- 
tion, would  wholly  fail  to  realize. 

Nor  must  you  look  at  matters  as  hopeless.  Although 
changed  in  your  means,  you  have  not  lost  in  character. 
Your  true  friends  look  upon  you  with  the  same  eyes  as 
formerly,  and  for  the  shallow  and  insincere  you  ought  not, 
cannot  care.  Besides,  a  favorable  change  must  result  from 
your  husband^s  persevering  and  consistent  efforts ;  and  by 
the  exercise  of  economy,  and  the  patient  submission  to  a 
few  privations,  you  may  ere  long  fully  retrieve  the  posi- 
tion you  have  already  adduced,  and  which  legitimately 
belongs  to  you. 


76  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

That  success  and  happiness  may  soon  spring  out  of  the 
present  unfavorable  condition  of  things,  is  the  hearty  and 
earnest  wish  of, 

Yours  ever  affectionately, 


To  Mrs. . 


LETTER   LXXXVII. 


To  Tier   Suitor,   on  ^eincj  requested   to  name  a  Day  for 
their    Wedding. 

CHARLESTON,  June  8th,  18  —  . 

MY  DEAR  -  ,—  The  affectionate  letter  which  I  have 
just  received,  is  another  convincing  proof  of  your  attach- 
ment. Upon  perusing  it,  I  find  that  you  have  imposed 
upon  me  a  somewhat  delicate  duty,  but  one  to  which,  you 
may  conclude  I  feel  no  aversion.  You  wish  me  to  name 
some  day,  convenient  to  myself  and  relatives,  for  the  per- 
formance of  our  nuptial  ceremony.  You  likewise  appear 
anxious  that  that  day,  to  which  we  have  looked  forward 
as  the  most  propitious  of  our  future  life,  may  not  be  pro- 
tracted to  a  distant  period.  As  far  as  my  own  choice  is 
concerned,  you  may  rest  assured  that  I  shall  not  interpose 
the  least  delay  ;  but  as  I  have  relatives  and  friends,  by 
whose  convenience  I  must,  as  you  are  aware,  be  in  some 
measure,  restrained,  I  will  consult  them  without  loss  of 
time,  and  at  the  earliest  opportunity  you  shall  hear  tliQ 
decision  to  which  we  may  come.  From 
My  dear  -  , 

Yours  ever  affectionately, 

To  -  ,  Esq. 


THE  LADY'S  LKTTER-WKITEK.  77 

LETTER  LXXXVIII. 

In   Answer   to  a   Letter   in  icliicli  her    Suitor   intimates 
his  wish   to   IreaTc  off  further    Correspondence. 

FIKE  LSI, AND  BEACH,  August  22nd,  18 — 

SIK, — I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  last  letter 
which  now  lies  before  me,  and  in  which  you  convey  the 
intimation  that  the  position  in  which,  for  some  time  past, 
we  have  regarded  each  other  must  henceforth  be  aban- 
doned. Until  the  receipt  of  this  letter,  I  had  regarded 
you  in  the  light  of  my  future  husband ;  you  were,  there- 
fore, as  you  have  reason  to  know,  so  completely  the  pos- 
sessor of  my  affections,  that  I  looked  with  indifference 
upon  every  other  suitor.  The  remembrance  of  you  had 
never  failed  -to  enhance  the  pleasures  of  daily  life,  and  you 
were  in  my  thoughts  at  the  very  moment  in  which  I  re- 
ceived this  most  unkind  and  unexpected  letter.  But  decni 
me  not  so  devoid  of  proper  pride  as  to  wish  you  to  revoke 
your  determination,  from  which  I  will  not  attempt  to  dis- 
suade you,  whether  it  may  have  been  made  in  cool  delib- 
eration, or  in  precipitate  haste.  Sir,  I  shall  endeavor  to 
banish  you  from  my  affections,  as  readily  and  completely 
as  you  appear  to  have  banished  me  from  yours ;  and  all 
that  I  shall  now  require  is,  that  you  will  return  to  me 
whatever  letters  you  may  have  of  mine,  and  which  I  may 
have  written  under  a  mistaken  confidence  in  your  attach- 
ment, and  when  you  were  accredited  as  the  future  hus- 
band of, 

Sir, 

Yours,  &c., 

To ,  Esq.  . 


73  TEE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

LETTER  LXXXIX. 

A   Lady   to   Tier  Friend,  informing  lier  of  her  intended 
Marriage,   and r  engaging  Tier   as   a  Bridesmaid. 

SARATOGA,  Sept.  18th,  18—. 

MY   DEAR  , — You  have  witnessed  the  attentions 

which  have  so  long  been  paid  to  me  by ,  and  are 

of  course  aware  that  he  has  addressed  them  to  me  in  the 
quality  of  a  suitor.  I  can  assure  you  it  has  not  been 
without  the  closest  scrutiny,  both  on  my  part  and  that 
of  my  dear  parents,  into  his  moral  character,  temper, 
tastes,  and  feabits,  that  I  have  come  to  the  resolution  of 
becoming  his* partner  for  life.  His  disposition  is  cheerful, 
I  know  him  to  be  a  man  of  the  nicest  honor ;  and  I  re- 
joice to  say,  as  I  have  hitherto  found,  that  we  seldom 
fail  to  coincide  in  our  opinions ;  which  shows,  at  least, 
that  we  are  actuated  by  such  a  unity  of  tastes  as  is  cal- 
culated to  give  one  every  reasonable  prospect  of  enjoying 
happiness  in  the  married  state.  The  day  of  our  union  has, 
at  length,  been  decided ;  and  the  mention  of  this  brings 
me  to  the  chief  purport  of  my  letter,  which  is  that  of 
inviting  you  to  become  my  bridesmaid.  Allow  me  to 
promise  myself  this  favor,  which  I  am  convinced  you  will 

not  refuse  after  our  long  friendship.     The  — th  of 

has  been  fixed  upon  as  the  auspicious  day,  upon  which, 
if  you  have  no  other  more  particular  engagement,  may  I 
rely  on  seeing  yau?  An  early  reply,  as  you  are  aWare, 
will  be  requisite ;  and  trusting  that  it  may  be  in  compli- 
ance with  my  earnest  wish, 

I  remain, 

My  dear , 

Your  affectionate  friend, 
To  Miss  .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  79 


LETTER  XC. 

The  Answer,   affirmatively,   and  wtih  congratulations  to 
her  Friend   on  her  intended   Marriage. 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  20th,  18—. 

MY  DEAR , — No  one,  I  believe,  can  be  more  de- 
sirous to  hear  of  your  welfare  and  your  prosperous  s'ettle- 
*  mcnt  in  the  marriage  state,  than  myself.  I  have  long 
been  sensible  of  your  worth,  your  goodness  of  heart, 
your  rectitude  of  principle,  and  your  warmth  of  friend- 
ship. Enviable  among  men  will  be  the  lot  of  him  who 
is  destined  to  become  your  partner  for  life ;  and  fortunate, 

indeed,   was  Mr,  in  that  introduction  which  first 

presented  you  to  his  notice.     As  for  Mr. ,  I  need 

scarcely  observe  that  I  approve  of  your  choice,  in  which 
you  have  shown  a  discrimination  that  does  credit  to  your 
taste,  and  to  that  good  sense  which  has  been  the  guide  of 
your  past  life.  Your  friendly  letter,  in  ^which  you 
announce  your  intended  marriage,  now  lies  hefore  me, 
and  I  must  say,  that  I  feel  highly  favored  in  your  prefer- 
ence of  me  to  become  one  of  your  bridesmaids.  You 
could  scarcely  have  preferred  any  request  with  which  I 
would  more  gladly  comply.  Expect,  therefore,  to  see  me 

without  fail  on the  — th, — a  period  to  which  I  shall 

look  forward  with  some  impatience,  as  the  day  on  which 
the  happiness  of  a  dear  and  valued  friend  will,  I  hope, 
be  consummated.  Adieu  till  then,  and  believe  me  to  be, 

My  dear  , 

Your^,  most  sincerely  and  affectionately, 

To  Miss .  . 


80  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER  XCT. 
A   Lady   absent  on  a    Visit,    to   her  Husband. 

BRIDGEPORT,  July  22nd,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — In  imagining  what  your  thoughts  and 

feelings  are  likely  to  be  during  my  absence,  I  have  only 
to  call  to  recollection  what  my  own  have  been  on  like 

occasions,  when  you,  dear ,  have  been  absent  from 

home.  How  has  my  remembrance  of  you  been  then  in- 
terwoven with  each  minute  of  my  existence  ?  and  how 
have  I  counted  the  hours,  till  that  had  arrived  which 
brought  me  intelligence  of  your  welfare  !  So  justly  do 
I  appreciate  your  attachment,  that  I  feel  "convinced  this 
feeling  must  be  mutual,  and  I  picture  to  myself  the  smile 
of  delight  with  which  you  will  receive  my  present  letter ; 
I  know  you  will  experience  real  satisfaction  in  hearing 
that  I  still  enjoy  my  health,  and,  in  fact,  was  never  better ; 

and  that  the  hospitality  and  kindly  attentions  of ,  so 

far  from  diminishing,  seem  rather  to  increase.  They  make 
it,  indeed,  their  study  to  surround  me  with  comforts,  and 
are  constantly  devising  some  fresh  plans  which  they  think 
may  conduce  to  my  amusement.  Be  assured,  therefore, 

my  dear ,  that,  with  the  exception  of  missing*  your 

cheering  company,  and  that  of  our  dear  children,  I  am  as 
happy  and  lively  as  you,  the  fondest  of  all  my  well-wish- 
ers, could  desire  me  to  be. 

Having  said  this  much  of  myself,  let  me  now  observe 
that  I  am  most  anxious  to  receive  a  letter  from  you  ;  for  I 
long  to  hear  how  yoii  and  the  children  still  continue  in 
regard  to  health,  and  what  fresh  occurrences  have  taken 
place  since  you  wrote  last.  At  present  I  have  no  reason 
for  supposing  that  my  absence  from  home  will  be  pro- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  81 

longed  beyond  the  — th,  on  which  day  I  hope  again  to  be 
with  you.     Give  my  kindest  love  to  the  children,  and 
Believe  me, 

My  dear , 

Your  ever  affectionate  wife, 
To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  XCII. 

From  the  same  to  Tier  Daughter,  whom  she  has  deputed 
to  act  as  Housekeeper. 

BRIDGEPORT,  July  22nd,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — As  the  duty  of  managing  our  small 

establishment  has  devolved  upon  you  during  my  absence, 
I  am  anxious  to  have  some  account  of  your  proceedings  at 
home,  and  should  be  happy  to  give  you  any  farther  in- 
structions in  case  you  have  met  with  any  difficulty,  or 
find  yourself  at  a  loss  how  to  act.  You  will  have  learnt 
from  the  letter  which  I  have  sent  to  your  father,  that  I 
still  continue  to  enjoy  my  health  ;  and  considering  that  I 
am  separated  from  my  own  family,  my  time  passes  as 
pleasantly  as  I  could  reasonably  desire,  my  hospitable 
•entertainers,  Mr.  and  Mrs. ,  being  constantly  atten- 
tive to  promote  my  comfort  and  amusement.  "We  have 
had  several  most  agreeable  parties,  and  I  have  been 
favored  with  many  introductions,  and  have  formed 
acquaintances  of  a  desirable  nature.  I  have  been  very 
much  delighted  with  some  excursions  which  we  have 
made  in  the  neighborhood ;  amongst  the  rest,  to  (mention- 
ing the  places}.  These  short  trips  have  much  benefited 
my  health,  as  well  as  increased  my  knowledge  of  the 


82  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

country.  Yet,  amidst  all  my  enioyments,  my  thoughts 
continually  recur  towards  home,  and  to  that  affectionate 
circle  which  has  endeared  it  to  me.  I  shall  endeavor  to 
return  by  the  — th ;  and  in  the  mean  time  let  me  repeat 
that  I  am  anxious  to  receive  a  full  account  of  your  do- 
mestic proceedings.  Write,  therefore,  at  your  earliest 
opportunity,  with  such  particulars  as  you  think  likely  to 
interest, 

Your  absent,  but 

Ever  affectionate  mother, 


LETTER  XCIII. 
The  Answer. 

NEW  YORK,  July  24th,  18—. 

MY  DEAR  MAMMA, — I  was  delighted  to  hear  from  you, 
especially  as  you  write  in  such  excellent  spirits,  and  in 
such  evident  enjoyment  of  your  excursion.  Everything 
was  left  in  such  capital  order  when  you  went  out  of  town, 
that  I  have  had  little  difficulty  in  our  domestic  matters, 
and  papa  says  that  I  am  getting  quite  a  little  woman  of 
business. 

At  this  season  of  the  year,  very  few  of  our  friends  are 
in  town,  and  we  have  not,  therefore,  had  many  visitors. 

Mrs. called  the  other  evening,  and  made  many  kind 

inquiries  after  all  of  us,  and  Mr. spent  the  evening 

with  papa  last  — — . 

We  were  rather  anxious  about  Emily  last  week ;  she 
was  so  languid  and  feverish,  that  papa  went  off  for  Dr. 
at  once.  I  sat  up  with  her  the  greater  part  of  the 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  83 

night,  and  scarcely  left  her  room  till  she  recovered.  She 
was  as  patient  and  amiable  as  ever ;  but  often  wondered  a 
little  about  mamma.  However,  as  there  was  no  danger 
(so  Dr.  —  -  assured  us),  we  would  not  think  of  alarm- 
ing you,  and  spoiling  the  pleasure  of  your  visit 
by  news  that  we  knew  would  have  caused  you  severe 
anxiety.  Like  all  of  us,  dear  Emily  sends  her  hearty 
love  to  you,  and  desires  me  to  tell  you,  that  she  never  was 
better  or  more  happy  than  at  present. 

Our  life  is  passed  much  as  usual.  Miss ,  our  gover- 
ness, is  as  kind  to  the  younger  children  as  you  could 
possibly  desire,  and  proves  a  most  agreeable  companion 
and  helpmate  to  myself  in  the  performance  of  our  little 
domestic  duties.  Papa  and  I  go  out  a  great  deal ;  and 
he  seems  to  find  me  a  substitute,  though  a  very  poor  one, 
for  your  societ}^ 

Sincerely  hoping  that,  when  you  return,  you  will  be 
pleased  with  all  that  has  been  done  during  your  absence, 
I  remain, 

My  dear  Mamma, 
Your  ever  affectionate  daughter, 

To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER  XCIV. 

A  Lady  to  Tier    Friend  in  Town,  inviting   Tier  to  spend 
a  Month  in  the  Country. 

CEDAR  GROVE,  June  14th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND,— I  need  scarcely  tell  you  that  I  al- 
ways feel  the  greatest  pleasure  in  your  society,  and  am. 
selfish  enough,  on  the  present  occasion,  to  covet  it  for  a 


84  THE  LADY'S  LETTISH-WHITER. 

month,  or  for  a  longer  period,  should  it  suit  your  con- 
venience. If,  therefore,  you  are  not  so  wedded  to  the 
attractions  of  a  New  York  life,  as  to  be  loth  to  leave 
them  for  a  short  time,  I  think  you  would  gather  some 
amusement,  and  also,  perhaps,  improve  your  health  by  a 
sojourn  in  the  country.  Will  you  then  do  us  the  favor 
of  making  our  rural  retreat  your  temporary  abode,  as- 
suring yourself  that  your  presence  will  enliven  our  family 
.circle,  and  be  a  real  source  of  enjoyment  to, 

.Your  sincere  friend, 
To  Mrs. .  . 


LETTER   XCV. 

Answer   to   the  same,   affirmatively. 

NEW  YORK,  June  16th,  13—. 

MY  DEAR , — I  have  just  received  your  kind  letter, 

inviting  me  to  spend  a  short  time  at  your  pleasant  house. 
Though  I  live  so  much  in  New  York,  I  can  assure  you 
that  there  are  few  who  feel  more  delighted  with  the 
country  than  myself,  and  I  could  be  well  contented  to 
make  it  my  residence  during  a  certain  part  of  every  year, 

and  should  certainly  do  so,  did  the  pursuits  of  Mr. 

allow  us  to  live  out  of  town.  However,  my  domestic 
duties  are  not  at  present  of  so  pressing  a  nature  as  to 

force  me  to  decline  your  friendly  invitation,  and  Mr. , 

so  far  from  offering  any  obstacle  to  my  absence  from  home 
for  a  short  time,  has  urged  me  to  send  you  an  affirmative 
answer,  and  as  he  thinks  that,  in  addition  to  the  enjoy- 
ment which  I  cannot  foil  to  experience  in  the  society  of 
yourself  and  family,  I  shall  benefit  my  health  by  a  change 


THE  LADY  S  LETTER- WHITER.  85 

of  air  and  scene.    I  therefore  accept  your  kind  invitation 
most  cheerfully,  I  may  add,  gratefully ;  and  am, 

My  dear , 

Your  ever  sincere  and  affectionate  friend, 
To  Mrs.  .  . 


LETTER  XCVL 

Answer   to   tlie  same,   negatively. 

NEW  YORK,  June  16th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — I  have  just  received  your  kind  letter, 

inviting  me  to  spend  a  short  time  at  your  delightful  resi- 
dence. Fond  as  I  may  be  of  a  life  in  town,  I  can  assure 
you  I  ain  far  more  partial  to  one  in  the  country,  and  no 
enjoyment  that  I  can  think  of  would  yield  me,  at  present, 
a  greater  delight  than  to  fly  from  the  confinement  of  the 
crowded  streets  to  the  free  range  of  the  open  fields,  and 
to  exchange  our  smoky  atmosphere  for  the  clear  and  in- 
vigorating air  of  the  country.  But  the  pursuits  of  Mr. 
— - —  are  of  a  most  busy  nature,  particularly  at  present, 
and  impose  upon  me  so  many  duties,  that  I  cannot  in- 
dulge in  a  trip  from  home,  even  for  a  day,  without 
inconvenience  to  my  whole  family.  From  what  I  have 
said,  you  will  therefore  understand  that  I  am  very  loth  to 
refuse  your  invitation,  but  am  compelled  to  do  so ;  and 
declining  it,  as  I  must,  with  the  truest  reluctance,  allow 
me  to  return  you  my  best  thanks  for  your  kind  offer,  anc] 
believe  me  to  remain, 

My  dear  , 

Yours  most  sincerely, 

To  Mrs.  — ,  . 


86  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER  XCYII. 

Announcing  to  a  Lady   the  Death,  of  her   Sister. 
PHILADELPHIA,  May  18th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  MADAM, — You  have  long  been  aware  of  the 
painful  and  serious  illness  under  which  your  dear  sister 
has  been  suffering;  but,  perhaps,  you  have  not  been 
fully  sensible  of  its  dangerous  tendency,  and  of  the  fears 
always  entertained  by  those  around  her,  that  its  termina- 
tion would  be  fatal.  Would  that  our  fears  had  been 
without  foundation ;  but  I  am  reluctantly  compelled  to 
tell  you  that  our  worst  anticipations  have  been  too 
mournfully  realised,  your  poor  sister  having  expired  (last 
evening),  though,  it  is  consolatory  to  state,  with  little 
bodily  suffering.  She  had  borne  her  affliction  with  the  for- 
titude of  a  Christian,  and  retained  her  faculties  to  her 
last  moments,  yielding  her  breath  in  full  peace  of  mind, 
and  convinced  that  she  was  leaving  this  earthly  state  for 
a  better  and  a  happier  in  another  world.  Your  dear 
mother  is  in  such  a  state  of  prostration,  that  she  finds  the 
task  of  writing  to  you  too  painful  for  her  feelings,  and 
has  expressed  her  wish  that  I,  the  intimate  friend  of  your 
late  sister,  should  be  the  communicant  of  the  sad  intelli- 
gence. She  desires  me  to  say  how  much  your  presence 
w^ould  help  to  console,  not  only  herself,  but  also  your 
father,  and  the  whole  of  the  family.  They  hope,  there- 
fore, to  see  you  by  the  earliest  opportunity,  and  request 
me  to  send  you  their  best  love. 

Accept,  dear  madam,  my  sincerest  condolence  under 
this  sad  bereavement  and  affliction,  and 

Believe  me  to  remain, 

Ever  yours,  sincerely, 

To  Mrs. .  . 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  87 

LETTER  XCYIII. 

Excusing  putting    off   an    invitation   on  account  of   a 
recent  Bereavement. 

TRENTON,  June  5th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , — I  grieve  to  tell  you  that  a  most  serious 

and  painful  domestic  calamity  prevents  the  possibility  of 
my  availing  myself  of  your  kind  invitation,  as  I  had  in- 
tended. When  I  tell  you  that  my  dear  —  -  is  no  more, 
you  will  at  once  sympathise  with  me,  and  feel  the  impos- 
sibility  of  anything  like  mixing  in  society. 
Believe  me,  amidst  my  own  griefs, 

Your  ever  sincere  friend, 
To .  . 


LETTER   XCIX. 

The  same,    on  grounds  of   Indisposition. 

May  14th,  18—-. 

MY  DEAR  , — Will  you  kindly  accept  an  apology 

for  my  not  being  present  at  your  party  last  evening? 
Throughout  the  whole  day  I  had  felt  unwell,  but  had  still 
determined  to  join  you,  but,  as  evening  approached,  I 
felt  so  much  worse,  that  I  saw  at  once  that  nothing  but 
quiet  was  suited  to  my  condition,  and  that  excitement 
and  late  hours  would  only  make  me  worse.  I  trust  you 
will,  therefore,  excuse  me,  and,  if  you  should  have  an 
hour  to  spare,  and  come  and  chat  quietly  with  me,  it  will 
be  a  great  comfort  to, 

Yours  ever  faithfully, 
To  Mr.  .  . 


83  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

LETTER  C. 

The  same,  for  another  reason. 

TRENTON,  April  4th,  18 — . 

DEAR  , — I  am  really  ashamed  at  having  missed 

your  delightful  party  of  last  evening,  but  I  trust  you  will 
excuse  my  absence  when  you  learn  the  cause. 

While  we  were  seated  at  dinner,  who  should  come  in 
but  my  husband's  dearest  and  best  old  friend,  Captain 
Brown,  of  whom  you  have  heard  us  speak  so  often,  and 
to  whom  in  early  life  we  were  so  much  indebted.  He  has 
but  just  returned  from  India,  and  after  three  years' 
absence,  I  could  not  find  it  in  my  heart  to  leave  the  kind 
old  man.  He  looks  remarkably  hale  and  vigorous, 
though  age  begins  to  show  itself  in  his  whitening  hair 
and  uncertain  step,  but  his  spirits  are  as  hearty  as  ever. 
He  would,  I  believe,  make  all  the  children  ill  with  sweet- 
meats, if  I  did  not  put  in  a  little  maternal  interference, 
and  he  has  brought  them  toys  enough  to  stock  a  whole 
shop. 

I  know,  my  dear  -  — ,  that  your  kindness  of  heart 
will  readily  admit  the  validity  of  this  excuse,  and,  in 
the  hope  that  yourself  and  your  husband  will  join  us  in 
welcoming  our  old  friend  back  to  America, 
I  remain, 

Ever  sincerely  yours, 

To . 


TUP:   LADY  S   LETTER-WRITER, 


LETTERS   ON    LITERARY    MATTERS.* 


LETTER  CI. 

Respecting  a  Dedication. 

BOSTON,  Jane  5th. 

Sm  (or  DEAR  SIR  or  MADAM), — Being  about  to  publish 
a  work  entitled ,  I  venture  to  hope  that  you  will  per- 
mit me  to  inscribe  it  to  yourself.  The  interest  you  have 
manifested  in  the  subject,  and  the  similarity  which  I  have 
reason  to  believe  exists  in  our  opinions  thereupon,  lead 
me  to  think  that  there  is  no  person  to  whom  I  could  more 
justly  offer  this  slight  tribute  of  friendship  and  respect 
I  remain, 

Sir  (or  Dear  Sir,  &c.), 

Yours  most  faithfully, 


LETTER  CIL 

Soliciting  Advice  respecting  a  MS. 

COLUMBIA  STREET,  May  15th. 
MY  DEAR  SIR, — The  frequent  meetings  we  have  had  at 

the  house  of  our  mutual  friend ,  lead  me  to  hope  that 

you  will  excuse  my  trespassing  upon  your  time — already 
so  fully  occupied — and  lend  me  a  little  assistance  in  a 

*  These  letters,  being  grounded  on  actual  correspondence  of  the  Editor's, 
may  be  t^kon  as  f.i'r  models. 


CO  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER. 

matter  of  some  importance  to  myself.  I  have,  as  you  are 
aware,  long  since  been  engaged  in  a  work  (state  the  char- 
acter ana  subject)  of  some  length,  and  have  now  completed 
the  manuscript.  But  I  am  new  to  authorship,  never  hav- 
ing published  anything  beyond  a  few  slight  contributions 
to  magazines,  and  I  almost  dread  the  responsibility  which 
must  necessarily  attach  to  a  larger  work.  Moreover,  I  am 
unacquainted  with  the  system  of  publishing,  and  should 
feel  most  grateful  if  you  would  afford  me  some  informa- 
tion as  to  the  course  most  likely  to  lead  to  a  fair  arrange- 
ment as  to  the  production  of  the  work. 

Again  apologising  for  thus  intruding  on  your  valuable 
time,  but  feeling  fully  assured  that  if  the  power  be  yours, 
the  will  is  not  wanting, 
I  remain, 

My  dear  Sir, 

Very  faithfully  yours, 

To ,  Esq.  . 


LETTER  CHI. 
To   a  Publishing  Firm. 

CAMBRIDGE,  July  17th,  18 — . 

GENTLEMEN, — I  have  for  some  time  been  preparing  a 

diary  of  my  travels  in ,  and  have  now  put  it  into  a 

form  which  will,  I  believe,  be  found  suitable  for  publica- 
tion. The  MS.  has  been  carefully  read  by , , 

,  and  one  or  two  of  the  letters  enclosed  will,  1  think, 

satisfy  you  as  to  my  experience  of  the  subject. 

I  am  anxious,  for  various  reasons,  that  the  work  should 
appear  with  as  little  delay  as  possible.  Having  been, 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  91 

however,  fully  convinced  of  the  fallacy  of  the  half-profit 
system  (except  in  works  bearing  the  impress  of  already 
great  names),  I  should  prefer  making  a  definite  arrange- 
ment for  the  sale  of  the  copyright,  leaving  any  question 
of  further  remuneration  to  your  own  consideration. 

The  favor  of  the  earliest  convenient  reply  will  greatly 
oblige, 

Gentlemen, 

Your  obedient  servant, 


To  Messrs.  • 


LETTEfe  CIV. 

Another. 

BOSTON,  Dec.  17th,  18—. 

GENTLEMEN, — The  enclosed  MS.  is  the  result  of  a  long 
study  of  the  habits  and  customs  of  the  people  to  whom 
it  refers.  My  experience  as  a  constant  resident  amongst 

the ,  gave  me  constant  opportunities  of  observation, 

and  have  enabled  me  to  suppfy  many  deficiencies  which 
exist  in  all  the  works  on  the  subject  with  which  I  am  ac- 
quainted. 

From  the  general  character  of  your  publications,  I  am 
led  to  believe  that  the  present  volume  would  suit  you.  It 
would  require  illustration,  and  I  possess  some  valuable 
sketches  which  would  be  of  great  use  to  the  artist.  As 
to  terms,  I  think  it  will  be  preferable  for  you  to  consider 
the  probable  expense  of  publication,  and  then  make  an 
offer,  but  I  think  the  sum  of  $ will  not  be  immoder- 


02  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

ate,  especially  if  the  present  popularity  of  the  subject  be 
taken  into  consideration. 

Awaiting  the  favor  of  your  reply, 
I  am,  Gentlemen, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
To  Messrs. .  . 


LETTER  CY. 

Soliciting  a  Remew. 

NEW  YORK,  June  4th,  18 — . 


.  To  the  Editor  of  the  , 

Mrs. presents  her  best  compliments  to  tiie  Editor 

of ,  and  will  feel  obliged  by  his  acceptance  of  the  en- 
closed volume,  and  of  a  notice  in  the  ,  should  he 

deem  it  worthy  of  attention. 

To  the  Editor  of . 


LETTER  CVI. 

More  familiar. 

NEW  YORK,  June  15th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  SIR, —  I  believe  you  possess  some  interest  with 
the  —  —  (name  the  journal  or  journals),  and,  from  your 
many  acts  of  kindness  towards  myself,  I  am  led  to  think 
that  you  would  not  be  unwilling  to  oblige  me  in  a  matter 
of  some  importance. 

My  work  on is  just  out,  but,  as  a  comparatively 

unknown  authoress,   I   have  little   chance   of  achieving 
great  success,  and  every  kind  word  said  in  its  behalf,  be- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WIUTEK.         03 

comes  of  serious  importance.  Would  you  condescend  to 
exert  your  valuable  interest  in  my  favor?  I  feel  assured 
that  a  notice  in  —  —  would  be  of  the  utmost  benefit  to 
the  sale  and  progress  of  the  book,  and  if  you  should 
kindly  aid  me  in  obtaining  such  assistance,  I  shall  ever 
remain, 

Yours  most  gratefully  and  sincerely, 
To ,  Esq.  : . 


LETTER  CVIL 

To  a   Young  Lady  desirous  of  Publishing. 

NEW  HAVEN,  Oct.  7th,  18—. 

MY  DEAR , — I  am  the  last  person  in  the  world  to 

dream  of  discouraging  the  eiforts  of  young  persons,  espe- 
cially when  their  whole  conduct  displays  uniform  amia- 
bility of  disposition  and  soundness  of  character.  But 
I  cannot  conceal  what  I  believe  to  be  the  real  truth, 
viz.  that  you  arc  too  young  to  have  thought  upon,  or 
seen  enough  of  human  nature,  to  venture  to  express 

yourself  in  print.  "  Remember,  my  dear ,  that  even 

a  mere  letter,  once  Written,  is  irrevocable.  How  much 
greater,  then,  the  mischief  of  committing  oneself  to 
print  ?  In  the  one  case,  one  person  only  may  be  offend- 
ed, in  the  other,  thousands.  Do  not  let  the  precociousness 
of  some  few  American  and  English  authoresses  deceive 
you.  Among  the  former,  the  instances  are  but  rare; 
among  the  latter,  there  is  little  which  an  American  lady 
should  imitate. 

You  have,  it  is  true,  received  an  excellent  education ; 
and  your  natural  aptitude  has  imde  that  education  pro- 


94  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

fitable  to  you  in  tlie  fullest  extent.  But  do  not  think  that 
your  juvenile  years  are  fit  for  the  difficult  task  of  novel- 
writing.  As  an  old  authoress,  I  look  back  with  regret  to 
many  crude  publications  of  my  early  days,  and  feel  happy 
in  their  oblivion.  Do  not  think  me  unkind  or  querulous 
in  my  views.  I  believe  that,  where  there  is  genius,  genius 
will  find  opportunities  of  fair  development ;  but  you  must 
not  mistake  a  mere  partiality  for  a  pursuit  for  the  talent 
which  alone  is  calculated  to  insure  success.  Do  not "  rush 
into  print."  Deepen  your  present  thoughts  by  continued 
experience ;  mark  every  transaction  —  every  thought  of 
your  own  life,  and  think  cautiously  and  impartially  upon 
the  deeds  and  dealings  of  those  around  you ;  such,  my 

dear ,  are  the  only  studies  which  can  ever  make  you 

fit  for  the  responsible  and  difficult  duties  of  an  authoress. 

Above  all,  beware  of  writing  from  memory.  There  are 
too  many  writers  who  discourse  profusely  upon  things 
they  have  never  seen,  society  they  have  never  moved  in. 
This  is  of  little  consequence  where  mere  facts  are  concerned,, 
as  what  is  once  w^ell  ascertained  and  known,  is  common 
property ;  but  in  novel- writing  it  is  far  otherwise.  The 
great  charm  of  Mrs.  South  worth's  works  is  their  wondrous 
truthfulness  and  probability ;  fiction  to  be  successful  should 
bear  the  closest  impress  of  truth  ;  character  should  never 
be  exaggerated,  absurdity  should  not  be  Increased  under 
the  mistaken  belief  that  wit  is  displayed  through  its  means; 
every  feature  of  a  story  should  be  modelled  on  the  origi- 
nal in  common  life,  and  the  inculcation  of  a  principle 
should  be  consistent  with  what  men  and  women  think 
and  do,  not  with  some  fairy-land  notions  of  the  authoress. 

My  dear ,  I  have  no  doubt  that,  if  you  mature  your 

conceptions,  and,  meanwhile,  pay  attention  to  the  minute 
matters  of  style  which  are  so  unhappily,  and  yet  so  often, 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  93 

neglected,  I  shall  one  day  hail  you  as  a  younger  sister  in 
authoTcraft.  But  it  is  because  I  wish  sincerely  and  affec- 
tionately for  your  welfare,  that  I  would  have  you  begin 
your  career,  not  with  precocious  crudities,  but  with  well- 
ripened  and  womanly  efforts,  the  result  of  reflection  and 
patience,  as  well  as  of  genius. 

Come  to  me  on ,  and  bring  some  of  your  MS.  with 

you.  You  will  find  a  sincere,  but,  I  trust,  not  unkind 
friend,  in 

My  dear , 

Yours  ever  sincerely, 
To  Miss .  . 


LETTER  CVIIL 

To   <i   young    Lady   desirous   of    Improvement. 

BOSTON,  May  5th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR , -^Nothing  gives  me  more  pleasure  than 

to  be  able  to  afford  the  benefit  of  such  experience  as  I 
have  had  to  those  whose  youth  renders  education  a  matter 
of  paramount  importance.  You  are  kind  enough,  in  your 
last  letter,  to  express  a  belief  that  I  have  the  power  to 
render  you  such  help,  and,  pursuant  to  your  wish,  I  write 
a  few  ramarks  which  seem  suited  to  the  extended  scale  on 
which  you  purpose  to  pursue  your  studies. 

In  the  first  place,  you  cannot  do  better  than  make  read- 
ing the  Tbasis  of  your  whole  course  of  study.  But  you 
must  seek  those  works  which  are  calculated  to  expand 
and  elevate  the  thoughts,  not  to  depress  the  intellectual 
faculties,  and  cause  you  to  degenerate  into  a  mere  reader  of 
fiction.  Not  that  I  would  discourage  novel  reading  as  a 
whole,  but  I  would  cautiously  advise  you  to  read  no  work 


C6  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

of  fiction  unless  the  name  of  the  author  guarantees  ics 
literary  and  its  moral  excellence.  For  example,  the  works 
of  Scott,  Dickens,  or  Thackeray,  and  the  latter  works  of 
ladlwer — although  varying  in  the  principles  they  inculcate, 
never  lead  us  to  refine  upon  human  deficiencies,  or  to  mis- 
take sentimentalisrn  for  feeling. 

As  regards  the  study  of  foreign  languages,  your 
visit  to  Europe  will  be  of  material  benefit.  *  Although  a 
sound  grammatical  knowledge  may  be  obtained  at  home, 
still  the  easy  colloquial  style  can  only  be  learnt  by  speaking 
with,  and  listening  to  those  to  whom  the  language  is  a 
native  one.  This  you  will  expressly  find  in  the  case  of 
the  German  language,  where  the  variation  of  dialects  in 
different  provinces  exposes  you  to  the  chance  of  making 
many  serious  mistakes, — mistakes  only  to  be  avoided  by 
constant  intermingling  with  good  society.  As  regards 
French,  I  should  even  advise  you  to  defer  attempting  to 
speak  it,  till  you  reach  Paris.  A  good  accent,  once  at- 
tained, is  not  likely  to  desert  you,  but  the  bad  habits  ac- 
quired by  speaking  it  at  home  are  most  difficult,  nay,  al- 
most impossible,  to  amend. 

But  while  earnestly  recommending  you  to  become  a 
good  practical  linguist,  and  to  gain  a  sound  knowledge 
of  the  best  works  in  your  own  language,  I  would  by  no 
means  urge  you  to  neglect  the  lighter  and  more  graceful 
accomplishments  of  life.  Music  (for  which  you  evince 
considerable  taste)  is  the  most  charming  gift  that  a  young 
woman  can  possess.  It  is  unselfish,  inasmuch  as  it  con- 
tributes so  largely  to  the  entertainment  of  others  ;  it  is  a 
social  tie  in  every  family,  and  few  studies  can  do  more  to 
promote  a  happy  and  united  feeling  between  brothers  and 
sisters,  or  husband  and  wife.  But  in  this  most  delightful 
of  pursuits  there  is  as  much  caution  required  as  in  select- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  97 

ing  a  fit  course  of  reading.  "While  I  would  never  recom- 
mend mere  quadrille  or  waltz-playing  as  the  end  of  music, 
still  I  would  remind  you  that,  socially  speaking,  it  is  bet- 
ter to  be  able  to  do  either,  or  even  to  give  a  tasteful  ac- 
companiment to  a  simple  ballad,  than  to  play  the  most 
elaborate  sonata  of  Beethoven's — especially  before  an  un- 
classical  audience. 

But  above  all,  my  dear ,  never  let  either  the  ac- 
complishments or  the  society  of  the  world  separate  your 
thoughts  from  that  religion  which  is  the  sublimest  of  all 
studies,  and  which  should  guide  and  influence  your  whole 
existence.  God  bless  you,  and  believe  me, 

With  every  affectionate  wish  for  your  progress  and  suc- 
cess, 

Ever  sincerely  yours, 


To  Miss  - 


LETTER   CIX. 

The  Answer. 

NEUWIED,  May  llth,  13 — . 

MY  DEAR , — I  must  commence  my  letter  by  thank- 
ing you  most  sincerely  for  your  kind  promptitude  in  re- 
plying to  my  last,  no  less  than  for  the  excellent  advice  you 
have  so  liberally  bestowed  upon  me.  A  love  for  receiving 
and  despatching  letters  is  certainly  one  of  my  most  pro- 
minent characteristics;  this  feeling  always  gains  addi- 
tional strength  from  the  consciousness  that  the  sea  is  rolling 
between  myself  and  those  whom  I  most  cherish  and  rev- 


98  THE  LADY'S  LETTEII-WIUTEII. 

erence  on  earth, — and  foremost  among  these  I  have  every 
reason  to  reckon  you,  dear . 

I  shall  take  care  to  follow  your  counsel  with  respect  to 
the  choice  of  authors,  for  the  employment  of  my  leisure 
hours.  I  am  at  present  reading  Thackeray's  "  Newcornes," 
and  anxiously  anticipate  the  appearance  of  every  new 
number.  I  have  almost  got  to  the  end  of  Macaulay's 
"  History,"  and  intend  following  it  up  by  his  "  Essays." 
There  is  some  satisfaction  to  be  derived  from  the  perusal 
of  such  works  as  these,  on  closing  which  you  have  gained 
something  beyond  the  mere  amusement  of  idle  hours. 

I  am  much  pleased  with  our  school,  though  at  first 
many  of  the  arrangements  appeared  strange  and  uncom- 
fortable. Fancy  sleeping  in  a  small  wooden  bed  without 
curtains,  with  a  feather  bed  instead  of  blankets  to  cover 
you,  rising  in  the  morning  at  six,  and  retiring  to  rest  at 
eight  in  the  evening.  Yet  such  is  the  practice  here,  even 
among  the  elder  pupils.  On  the  other  hand,  there  is  a 
total  absence  of  that  irksome  and  degrading  espionage, 
which  was  so  completely  the  order  of  the  day  at  Tren- 
ton. Each  girl  is  believed  on  her  bare  assertion  of  a 
fact,  and  every  indulgence  is  allowed  us  on  our  request, 
in  simple  good  faith.  Perfect  confidence  between  gover- 
nesses and  pupils  is  thus  engendered,  and  no  girl  would 
be  guilty  of  abusing  in  any  way  such  trusting  kindness. 
At  Mrs. 's,  on  the  contrary,  she  who  could  successful- 
ly hoodwink  one  of  the  authorities,  was  rather  looked 
up  to  by  her  fellow  pupils. 

They  tell  me  that  I  am  much  improved  in  my  know- 
ledge of  German.  It  is  astonishing  how  the  constant 
habit  of  hearing  a  language  spoken  by  all  around, 
'familiarises  a  novice  with  its  various  idioms  and  peculi- 
arities. I  can  now  join  with  tolerable  fluency  in 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  GO 

conversations  which,  but  two  months  since,  were  sealed 
mysteries  to  me.  I  shall  take  care  to  follow  your  advice 
with  regard  to  French,  the  more  so,  inasmuch  as  even  my 
uninitiated  ear  is  offended  by  the  harsh  manner  in  which 
every  one  here  pronounces  it.  In  music  I  find  I  have  still 
much  to  learn  ;  all  my  companions  play  and  sing  better 
than  I,  and  moreover  seem  to  have  a  true  appreciation  of 
the  great  masters.  However,  I  must  try  what  persever- 
ance will  effect. 

In  conclusion,  dear ,  I  must  beg  you  not  to  forget 

the  poor  exile,  but  at  the  earliest  opportunity  to  resume 
your  pen,  and  thus  afford  her  one  of  the  greatest  delights 
which  can  enliven  the  solitary  hours  of  one  who  finds  a 
sojourn  in  a  strange  land,  even  among  the  kindest  of 
people,  but  a  poor  exchange  after  all  for  the  blessings  of 
home. 

With  much  love  to  all  my  friends, 

Believe  me,  dear , 

Yours  gratefully, 

To  Mrs. .  . 


.  LETTER  CX. 

From   a  Niece    to   her  Aunt,   requesting   pecuniary   as- 
sistance to  aid  her  Father,   in  temporary 
embarrassment. 

WASHINGTON  STREET,  BOSTON,  Mass., 
January  llth,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  AUNT, — Strange  as  the  request  I  make  in  this 
letter  may  appear,  it  is  nevertheless  one  I  feel  in  duty 
bound  to  make  on  behalf  of  the  most  indulgent  of  pa- 


100  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

rents,  and  well  knowing  your  sy&pathy  and  generosity 
for  our  family,  I  am  pursuaded  my  appeal  will  meet  with 
that  response  necessary  in  so  pressing  a  ease. 

Lately  my  father  has  appeared  a  thoroughly  altered 
being ;  his  usual  buoyancy  of  spirit  has  forsaken  him  ; 
when  he  returns  from  business  he  is  fretful,  morose  and 
apparently  harsh  in  his  manner.  So  great  a  contrast  to  his 
former  joyous,  cheerful  and  kind  bearing  towards  us  all, 
is  truly  alarming,  and  we  naturally  concluded  that  there 
was  some  secret  trouble  oppressing  him.  My  mother, 
whose  duty  it  is  to  rally,  console,  and  awaken  him  to  his 
real  state,  does  nothing  but  complain  and  upbraid  him, 
for  his  apparent  neglect.  Upon  me,  therefore,  as  the  eld- 
est daughter,  devolves  the  now  painful,  but,  eventually 
pleasing  duty,  through  your  aid,  to  restore  that  peace  and 
happiness  w^hich  it  was  our  wont  to  enjoy. 

Determined  to  find  the  cause  of  my  father's  changed 
conduct,  I  went  with  him  to  business  to-day,  and  after 
much  entreaty,  gained  such  information  as  to  conclude 
that  monetary  matters  were  the  source  of  the  evil  affect- 
ing him. 

You  fully  understand  my  father's  temperament ;  rather 
than  seek  aid,  though  well  knowing  he  could  easily  ob- 
tain it,  he  shrinks  from  the  task,  especially  from  consider- 
ing his  present  aspect  of  affairs,  to  be  due  to  an  im- 
proper use  of  his  means.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  be  thus 
candid  with  you,  or  to  be  ashamed  of  my  father ;  well 
knowing  that  sincere  affection  for  us,  always  evinced  by 
you,  and  assured  that  any  facts  I  may  state,  will  be  held 
sacred  to  yourself. 

:'  I  come  therefore  to  the  point ;  will  you  lend  me  $1,000, 
for  which  I  shall  give  you  my  note  of  hand  ?  I  Will  then, 
unknown  to  my  father,  liquidate  his  debts,  and  when  he 


THE   JADYV  LETTSa-WRITBB.  101 


returns  home  from  business,  lay  before  him,  on  his  plate 
at  the  tea-table,  in  a  sealed  envelope,  receipts  for  the 
amounts  due  by  him,  and  then,  dear  Aunt,  you  can  imagine 
what  a  boon  you  have  conferred  on  us  all,  and  with  what 
cheer  our  evening  meal  will  be  partaken. 

This  is  a  matter,  entirely  between  you  and  I,  none  of 
the  family  are  cognizant  of  it,  and  as  such  I  should  like 
it  to  remain. 

Anxiously  awaiting  a  reply,  which  I  feel  confident  will 
be  satisfactory, 

Believe  me, 

Dear  Aunt, 

Your  affectionate  Niece. 

M.I. 


LETTER  CXI 

Reply   to   the  former. 

FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
January  12th,  18 — .      f 

MY  DEAH  NIECE, — I  highly  applaud  your  noble  con- 
duct, and  the  course  you  have  taken  to  attain  your  ends ; 
you  do  not  miscalculate  my  sympathy,  or  generosity  of 
your  family.  I  deeply  condole  with  you,  and  am  only 
too  happy  to  be  able  to  render  assistance  to  so  dear  a 
brother  as  your  father,  through  so  faithful  a  daughter. 

I  herewith  enclose  a  cheque  for  the  amount  required, 
which,  if  not  sufficient,  my  purse  is  at  your  service. 

You  need  not  reply  to  this,  as  I  intend  spending  a  few 
days  with  you  next  week. 

Your 

Ever  affectionate  Aunt, 

E.  S. 


102  THE   LADY'3  LETTER  WRITER. 

LETTER  CXIL 

From  one  sister  to  another,  who  had  left  home,  in  conse- 
quence of  their  Fathers  second  marriage. 

MY  DEAREST  SISTER, — The  discovery  of  your  where^ 
abouts,  has  greatly  lightened  the  load  of  grief,  under 
which  we  were  all  suffering,  in  consequence  of  your  pro- 
longed absence  from  home.  The  cause,  if  rightly  judged, 
is  father's  marriage.  I  do  not  wish  to  upbraid  you,  with 
the  course  of  conduct  taken,  feeling  certain  your  con- 
science will  punish  you  sufficiently,  for  so  unfilial  an  act, 
and  one  too,  so  directly  opposed  to  your  own  spontaneous 
feelings  and  usual  amiability. 

Words  cannot  describe  the  anguish  we  have  all  suffered, 
mother,  and  all,  for  so  she  is  worthy  to  be  styled, — - 
father's  present  wife,  a  better  than  whom  could  not  easily 
be  found,  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  our  domestic  circle.  It 
was  most  unkind  of  you  to  take  your  departure,  leaving 
no  clue  behind,  not  even  a  line  for  me  your  dearest  sister, 
but  we  all  forgive  you,  and  will  welcome  your  return,  as, 
the  father  did  the  "Prodigal  Son." 

We  have  ascertained  how  your  pure  mind  was  invid- 
iously poisoned  by  the  machinations  of  our  late  house- 
keeper, who  was  led  to  confess  that  she  had  prejudiced 
your  pure  mind  against  my  father's  choice ;  a  position  as 
she  said  "  she  would  either  gain,  or  destroy  the  family 
peace." 

How  well  she  has  attained  the  object  is,  alas,  too 
plainly  demonstrated. 

Now,  dear  sister,  it  is  for  you  to  heal  the  wound  and  bind 
up  the  broken  spirit,  and  joyfully  I  hope  and  trust  you 
will  do  so,  by  immediately  returning  to  the  parental  roof, 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.  103 

where  all  is  forgiven,  and  open  arms  ready  to  receive  and 
caress  you. 

Ever  your  affectionate  sister, 

MARY. 


LETTER  CXIIL 

Reply  to  the  above. 

MY  OWN  DEAR  SISTER, — I  was  deeply  suffering  for  my 
transgressions,  but  however  great  such  suffering  was,  it  is 
not  commensurate  to  my  deserts.  I  have  no  palliation 
to  make,  no  excuse  for  my  past  conduct.  I  became  in- 
fatuated with  the  cruel  devices  of  a  designing  woman, 
insidious  venom  had  steeled  my  heart  against  one  of 
whom  you  speak  in  such  terms,  when  as  yet,  almost  art 
entire  stranger  to  me. 

Had  I  only  confided  in  you,  all  would  have  been  well, 
but  enthralled  as  I  was  by  the  schemes  of  that  wicked 
woman,  who  lost  no  opportunity  of  instilling  into  my 
mind,  fictitious  notions  of  the  evils  accruing  from  my 
father's  second  alliance,  that  I  spurned  the  thought  of 
making  a  confidant  which  has  led  to  such  dire  distress. 

You  assure  me  of  forgiveness ;  God  knows  I  need  it, 
but  how  can  I  meet  a  father  I  have  so  greatly  mistrusted, 
in  the  matter  of  his  choice ;  and  how  meet  her  I  have 
ungenerously  wronged  and  misjudged. 

I  can  write  no  more,  my  nervous  system  is  altogether 
unstrung.  I  will  return  to-morrow,  meet  me  at  the 
station. 

Your  penitent  sister, 

JULIA. 


104  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

LETTER  CXIV. 

From  a  mother  to  Tier  daughter,  who  has  left  home  for 
domestic  service  in  a  large  city. 

MIDDLETOWN,  Orange  County,  K  Y.,  ) 
January  loth,  18 — .      \ 

MY  DEAR  DAUGHTER, — The  time  has  now  arrived  when 
you  must  henceforth  depend  upon  your  own  energies  and 
moral  strength  to  battle  successfully  with  the  world. 

From  the  quiet,  unsophisticated  and  comparative  in- 
nocence of  country  life,  you  are  now  launched  into  the 
midst  of  the  bustle,  cunning  and  consequent  evils  to  bo 
found  in  all  large  cities.  This  is  a  critical  period  of  life, 
and  will  require  all  your  fortitude,  sustained  by  the  early 
lessons  so  carefully  inculcated  into  your  yet  uncontami- 
nated  mind,  to  firmly  withstand. 

In  the  new  sphere  you  have  chosen,  beware  of  the  as- 
sociations formed ;  you  will  come  in  contact  with  those 
who,  from  having  lived  perhaps  all  their  lives  in  the  city, 
have  acquired  its  habits  of  gaiety  and  become  acquainted 
%vith  the  fascinating  influences  so  detrimental  to  those 
uninitiated  in  the  wiles  and  schemes  practiced  to  take 
advantage  of  the  young,  unprotected  and  unsuspecting 
female. 

So,  dear  child,  look  well  to  the  companions  you  choose. 
You  are  old  enough  to  know  right  from  wrong  ;  you  can 
discern  whether  the  society  in  which  you  mingle  will 
tend  to  good  or  evil.  The  question  "  Will  mother  ap- 
prove of  this  ?"  answered  according  to  conscience,  may 
guide  and  protect  you  from  besetting  snares. 

In  conclusion,  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  devolving 
upon  you ;  let  not  the  persuasions  of  others  influence  you 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.  105 

in  departing  from  such,  a  course  of  conduct  as  it  has  been 
my  fervent  wish  and  prayer  for  you  to  follow,  it  having 
been  my  sole  endeavor  to  train  your  mind  to  a  course  of 
rectitude  of  conduct  and  integrity  of  purpose. 
Your  ever  affectionate  mother, 

S.  G. 
To . 


LETTER  CXV. 

Answer  to  the  above. 

FIFTH  AVENUE,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
January  17,  18 — .      \ 

MY  DEAR  MOTHER,— Your  kind  letter  has  been  most 
welcome.  I  find  the  change  from  country  to  city  life 
not  such  as  I  anticipated.  I  feel  altogether  out  of  my 
element,  and  almost  wish  I  had  never  left  home,  but 
knowing  your  small  income  will  barely  support  yourself, 
and  from  the  high  wages  I  obtain  it  is  my  intention  to 
render  such  aid  as  will  tend  to  promote  your  comfort  in 
advancing  years. 

I  trust  the  early  lessons  implanted  in  my  mind  by  such 
a  good  mother  may  support  and  enable  me,  through  di- 
vine assistance,  to  withstand  those  varied  temptations 
with  which  I  may  be  assailed.  I  shall  endeavor  to  follow 
the  course  laid  down  in  your  letter,  and  often  read  it 
to  comfort  and  sustain  me  in  trials  to  which  I  may  be 
exposed. 

The  family  in  whose  service  I  am,  so  far  as  I  can  judge, 
is  one  that  you  would  highly  approve  of,  and  my  fellow- 
servants  do  not  seem  to  be  schooled  in  city  life  as  you 
depict.  Upon  the  whole,  I  think  a  little  time  will  greatly 


106  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

reconcile  me  to  my  lot,  but  I  shall  still  lament  the  separa- 
tion which  necessity  has  caused  between  us. 
Ever  your  affectionate 

and  dutiful  daughter, 

F.  G. 
To  Mrs. . 


LETTER  CXYI. 

Letter  from  a  Lady,  upon  her  arrival  in  New    York,  to 
her  friends  in  Ireland. 

BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
January  19,  18 — .      5 

MY  DEAR  BROTHERS  AND  SISTERS, — After  a  tedious 
voyage  of  sixteen  days,  I  have  at  last  safely  arrived  in 
New  York.  Our  parting  interview  affected  me  very 
much,  and  my  fortitude  entirely  gave  way  when  I  lost 
sight  of  land.  I  rushed  into  my  room  and  had  a  good 
cry,  after  which  I  felt  somewhat  relieved ;  a  few  days 
more  reconciled  me  to  my  fate.  Our  confined  limits  on 
shipboard  naturally  soon  led  to  the  formation  of  acquaint- 
ances. I  was  fortunate  in  my  selection  of  a  companion, 
having  chosen  a  young  lady  who,  like  myself,  was  coming 
alone  to  this  country.  She  was  well  read,  so  you  may  be 
sure  there  was  no  lack  of  conversation,  tending  greatly 
to  kill  time,  which  would  otherwise  have  hung  heavily 
on  our  hands. 

The  first  two  days  of  our  voyage  gave  promise  of  a 
quick  .passage,  but  the  wind  veering  round,  and  blowing 
right  ahead,  reduced  our  speed  from  twelve  to  nine  knots 
per  hour,  added  to  which  we  got  into  a  region  of  snow 
and  fog,  adding  greatly  to  our  discomfort,  as  we  were 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  107 

unable  for  three  days  to  take  our  usual  promenade  on  the 
saloon,  in  consequence  of  which  we  all  got  more  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  each  other,  and  several  of  the 
gentlemen  were  highly  amusing  and  successful  in  helping 
to  "  drive  dull  care  away."  <• 

The  weather  clearing  up,  we  emerged,  like  a  lot  of 
bees  from  their  hive  on  a  sunshiny  day,  to  seek  our  ap- 
parently long  deserted  promenade.  As  our  close  quarters 
had  made  us  all  sociable,  the  usual  stiffness  of  etiquette 
disappeared,  and  the  remaining  part  of  the  voyage  was 
rendered  as  agreeable  as  could  be ;  considering  the  many 
little  inconveniences  and  privations  one  has  to  undergo 
on  shipboard. 

At  length  our  eyes  were  gladdened  with  the  sight  of  a 
pilot  boat,  a  sure  augury  of  the  near  approach  to  our 
destination.  We  signalled,  and  the  boat  came  alongside. 
One  of  its  crew  was  soon  on  board,  and  then  we  learned 
that  by  next  morning  we  should  be  at  Sandy  Hook, 
where,  if  the  doctor  presented  a  clear  bill  of  health,  we 
should  only  be  delayed  a  short  time,  and  then  in  a  few 
hours  more  we  should  land  in  New  York,  which  I  am 
happy  to  say  was  safely  accomplished  at  4  o'clock  this 
afternoon. 

Uncle  and  aunt  met  me  at  the  dock  with  a  most  cor- 
dial greeting.  You  can  imagine  how  glad  I  was  to  be 
once  more  with  relatives,  to  pace  terra  firma,  and  go  to 
sleep  without  being  rocked. 

Uncle  and  aunt  join  in  kind  love  to  you  all. 

Believe  me, 

Your  affectionate  sister, 

J.  C. 


108  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITES. 

LETTER    CXVIL 

Answer  to  the  above. 

SACKVILLE  STREET,  DUBLIN,  Ireland, 
February  1st,  18—. 

MY  DEAR  SISTER, — The  arrival  of  your  letter  has  re- 
lieved our  minds  of  great  anxiety.  We  fully  calculated 
upon  hearing  from  you  by  previous  mail,  but  not  doing 
so  we  got  to  conjecturing  all  sorts  of  ideas,  especially 
considering  the  season  of  the  year  and  the  many  ship- 
wrecks we  have  read  of  lately. 

ITow  that  we  are  assured  of  your  safety,  we  feel  recon- 
ciled and  wish  you  every  joy  in  your  present  visit.  I  ain 
sure  not  one  of  us  girls  would  have  had  the  courage  to 
encounter  the  dangers  of  so  long  a  voyage,  to  make  a 
simple  visit,  but  you  have  more  spirit  than  us  all  put  to- 
gether, and  what  we  consider  perilous,  you  rejoice  to  un- 
dertake and  look  upon  as  a  good  joke. 

For  the  first  week  gloom  pervaded  the  whole  house. 
We 'lacked  your  ringing  laugh,  spirited  jest  and  ever- 
ready  repartee.  Another  week  or  so  we  shall  get  used  to 
our  quiescent  state,  and  will  jog  along  quite  comfortably, 
until  such  time  as  you  return  to  upset  us  all  again,  having 
added  to  your  own  various  Yankee  notions. 

We  all  are  glad  to  hear  of  your  kind  reception,  and 
hope  you  may  spare  a  thought  now  and  then  for  those 
en  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

All  join  in  kind  love  to  yourself,  uncle  and  aunt. 
Your  affectionate  sister, 

A.  C. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  109 


LETTER  CXVIII. 

<• 

BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
February  18th,  18—.      f 

MY  DEAR  ANNA, — Glad  to  hear  from  you,  that  all  at 
home  are  well,  and  that  you  anticipate  having  quietness 
during  my  absence.  I  only  hope  your  enjoyment  may 
equal  mine.  New  York  is  a  gay  place,  especially  at  this 
season  of  the  year.  Balls,  masquerades,  parties,  sleighing 
and  skating  excursions,  are  all  the  rage.  I  am  getting 
almost  tired  out,  and  must  entreat  uncle  and  aunt  to 
frame  some  excuse  for  our  next  two  or  three  engagements, 
to  recruit.  Since  the  second  day  it  has  been  a  round  of 
continued  gaiety.  Londoners  are  said  to  be  proverbial 
as  pleasure  seekers,  but  New  Yorkers  will  well  contest  for 
the  palm  of  distinction.  So  far  I  like  New  York  very 
much,  there  is  not  that  reserve  or  clanship  in  society  so 
noticeable  at  home,  each  one  considers  himself  on  an 
equality  with  his  fellow-creatures,  and  all  seem  influenced 
by  a  spirit  of  freedom. 

Uncle  and  aunt  send  kindest  regards  to  ail  of  you. 
Believe  me, 

Your  affectionate  sister, 

j.  a 


LETTER  CXIX. 

SACKVILLE  STREET,  DUBLIN,  Ireland,  ) 
March  8th,  18—.      f 

MY  DEAR  SISTER, — Your  welcome  letter  came  duly  to 
hand  to-day.     "We  are  delight  jd  to  hear  that  you  are  in 


110  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

the  midst  of  so  much  enjoyment,  especially  when  con- 
sidering the  journey  undertaken.  I  doubt  when  you  re- 
turn our  quiet  home  will  not  harmonize  with  your  feel- 
ings, being  inspired  with  and  having  imbibed  so  much 
of  New  York  high  life,  that  you  will  find  but  little  plea- 
sure in  our  society.  Perhaps  I  am  anticipating  £00  much, 
and  that  your  return  may  be  indefinitely  postponed. 
From  the  go-a-head  character  of  the  Yankees,  it  is  not 
conjecturing  an  impossibility  if  some  young  swain  be 
smitten  with  your  charms,  and  then  farewell  to  old 
Ireland.  We  are  just  going  on  in  our  old  style,  little 
occurring  to  vary  the  monotony  of  our  present  quiet  home. 
We  often  wish  you  were  here  to  rouse  us  up,  and  dispel 
the  ennui  which  now  and  then  oppresses  us.  I  imagine 
uncle  and  aunt  will  hail  with  joy  the  termination  of  your 
visit,  if  as  we  conclude  from  your  epistle  they  participate 
in  your  whirl  of  pleasure.  Their  ordinary  state  of  life 
must  be  somewhat  changed,  and  repose  usurped  by  the 
trouble  of  preparations  for  your  varied  evening  enjoy- 
ments. It  is  not  assuming  too  much  to  suppose  that  your 
continued  state  of  excitement  will  have  a  tendency  to 
create  in  you  desires  that  cannot  be  fulfilled,  when  you 
return  home.  The  time  occupied  by  the  return  voyage 
will  be  most  apropos  and  beneficial  in  sobering  you  down 
to  your  own  self  again. 

Do  not  fail  to  write  once  a  week,  and  rest  assured  of  an 
answer  by  return. 

Kind  love  to  you,  and  uncle  and  aunt. 
I  remain, 

Dear  sister, 

Yours  ever  affectionately,    • 
A.  C. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WKITEK.  Ill 

LETTER    CXX. 

From   Miss    C.   to  her  fellow   voyager. 

BROADWAY,  NEW  YORK,  \ 
January  31st,  18 — .      j 

MY  DEAK  FRIEND, — I  must  apologize  for  not  sending 
you  a  line  prior  to  this.  The  plain  fact  of  the  matter  is, 
I  have  so  entirely  given  myself  up  to  pleasure,  that  all 
else  has  been  banished  from  my  mind. 

I  have,  however,  now  decided  to  devote  a  short  time  to 
business,  and  make  you  one  of  the  first  to  claim  my  at- 
tention, 

I  presume  you  have  been  pretty  well  engaged,  and  in  a 
similar  manner  to  myself.  It  seems  that  Dame  Fortune, 
as  if  to  compensate  for  the  lack  of  enjoyment  during  our 
outward  passage,  has  given  me  ample  since  my  arrival 
here,  and  so  fully  discharged  her  debt.  This  is  the  first 
day's  leisure  I  have  liad  since  I  landed,  so  you  can  imag- 
ine the  merry  life  in  which  I  have  been  indulging. 

The  friendship  formed  during  our  short  acquaintance 
I  shall  be  most  happy  to  retain,  and  esteem  it  a  favor  to 
be  allowed  such  a  privilege. 

As  you  expect  to  be  here  in  a  few  days,  it  will  afford 
me  more  pleasure  to  have  a  snug  tete-a-tete  and  recount 
our  various  adventures. 

A  formal  invitation  is  unnecessary.     Call  to  see  me  you 
must,  and  depend  upon  meeting  with  a  hearty  welcome. 
I  remain, 

Dear  friend, 

Yours  most  sincerely, 
J.  0. 


112  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER. 

LETTER  CXXI. 

Reply   to  the  above. 

EAST  STREET,  ALBANY,  New  York,  ) 
February  2nd,  18—.      \ 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — I  was  expecting  a  line  from  you, 
and  feel  gratified  that  you  meet  with  such  hospitality.  I 
too  have  had  my  share,  though  probably  not  to  such  an 
extent  as  the  New  Yorkers  carry  their  festivities. 

To  retain  your  friendship  will  afford  me  a  pleasure 
much  to  be  desired,  although  our  acquaintance  has  only 
been  short.  I  find  such  a  congeniality  of  mind,  and  sen- 
sitiveness of  feeling,  that  I  shall  consider  you  one  of  my 
dearest  friends. 

I  shall  be  in  your  city  on  Monday,  when  we  can  com- 
pare notes,  and  make  an  arrangement  to  spend  a  few  days 
together. 

With  kindest  regards,  and  hoping  your  enjoyments 
may  be  to  the  full, 
I  remain, 

Your  sincere  and  faithful  Mend, 

8.  Y. 


LETTER   CXXIL 

From    a  young    Lady  to    her    Sister,    announcing    her 

engagement. 

FOURTH  STREET,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
January  25th,  18—.      ) 

MY  DEAR  SISTER, — You  may  remember  my  mentioning 
to  yoUj  the  marked  attention  Mr.  C.  paid  me ;  it  has  now 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER.  113 

terminated  in  a  formal  proposal  of  marriage,  which  I 
think  of  accepting,  but  it  won't  be  prudent  to  be  hasty 
in  my  decision,  as  such  a  course  might  lead  him  to  sup- 
pose I  was  anxious  to  have  him.  A  lady's  policy  under 
circumstances  of  this  kind,  ought  to  be  so  effectually  car- 
ried out,  as  to  cause  the  gentleman  some  trouble  in  the 
attainment  of  his  ends,  so  that  he  may  more  highly  value 
the  prize,  when  gained.  How  soon  he  may  wish  me  to 
change  my  name,  I  cannot  at  present  say,  but  I  do  not 
think  he  will  be  long,  as  he  does  not  appear  to  be  one  of 
the  deferring  kind.  He  is  snugly  oil  and  doing  a  profitable 
business.  A  few  years  my  senior,  good  looking  and 
apparently  good  tempered. 

I  hope  you  will  soon  return  home.     You  can  then  pass 
your  opinion.     I  shall  have  to  tax  your  time,  as  I  shall 
require  assistance  in  preparing  for  my  anticipated  union. 
I  remain, 

Your  affectionate  sister, 
A.  L. 


LETTER  CXXIII. 

Answer   to   the  above. 


SIXTH  STREET,  CHICAGO,  111.,  ) 


January  28th,  18 — . 

MY  DEAR  SISTER, — I  cannot  say  I  am  much  surprised 
at  the  news  in  your  last  letter.  It  would  have  been  any- 
thing but  honorable,  or  feeling,  had  Mr.  C.,  acted  other- 
wise than  he  has.  I  am  sure  his  bearing  towards  you 
would  have  lead  any  one  to  believe  you  were  on  the  eve 
of  marriage. 

I  must  congratulate  you  on  your  conquest.     I  shall  re- 


114  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER. 

turn  home  the  4th  of  February,  and  render  you  all  the 
assistance  I  can  in  your  multitudinous  preparations  for 
the  great  event  of  your  life. 

Your  affectionate  sister, 

KATE. 


LETTER  CXXIV. 

Invitation   to   a  young  Lady,   to    act  as  Bridesmaid,  at 
the  forth-coming  Nuptials. 

FOURTH  STREET,  NEW  YORK,  ) 
March  3rd,  18—.      J 

MY  DEAREST  FRIEND, — My  approaching  nuptials,  re- 
quire that  I  should  make  due  preparation  therefor.  May 
I  request  the  favor  of  your  company,  to  act  as  one  of  my 
bridesmaids,  on  that  eventful  occasion  ?  Our  long  ac- 
quaintance, and  sincere  friendship,  prompt  me  to  solicit 
the  honor  of  your  presence  in  the  above  capacity ;  on 
Thursday,  April  10th.  If  convenient,  come  the  previous 
day. 

I  remain, 

Your  sincere  friend, 

A.  S. 


LETTER  CXXV. 

Reply  in  the  affirmative. 

MY  DEAR  FRIEND, — I  shall  esteem  it  a  great  honor  to 
be  allowed  the  privilege  of  acting  the  part  asked  in  your 
note,  on  the  occasion  required. 

I  shall  be  with  you  the  day  previous,  and  hope  the  fol- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTEH- WHITER.  115 

lowing  one  may  be  the  forerunner  of  much  future  hap- 
piness. 

With  kindest  wishes, 
I  remain, 

Your  sincere  and  grateful  friend, 

L.  P. 


NOTES   OF  INVITATION. 

Formal  notes  are  always  written  in  the  third  person, 
except  when  the  parties  are  most  intimate  friends,  then 
the  first  is  used.  Such  notes  should  always  be  sent  a  few 
days  previous  to  the  event,  and  promptly  answered. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson,  request  the  pleasure  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  James'  company,  on  Wednesday  evening  next, 
at  eight  o'clock,  to  join  a  social  party.  An  immediate 
answer  will  much  oblige. 

Fifth  Avenue,  January  9th. 


Answer   to   the  above,   Accepting. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  will  be  most  happy  to  avail  them- 
selves of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson's  kind  invitation  to  join 
their  social  party  as  requested. 

Houston  Street,  January  10th. 


Answer,   Declining. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  greatly  regret  their  inability  to  accept 


116  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  TVs  kind  invitation  to  join  their  social  party.. 
Nothing  would  haye  afforded  them  more  pleasure  than  to 
have  been  present,  biit  family  affliction  prevents  them. 
West  Street,  January  10th. 


To   an  intimate  Friend. 

MY  DEAR  JANE, — A  few  friends  will  be  here  on  Wed- 
nesday evening  next,  to  take  a  social  cup  of  tea,  and  chat 
about  mankind  in  particular.  Give  us  the  pleasure  of 
your  company. 

A.  PRATT. 

Prince  Street,  Saturday  morning. 


Reply. 

MY  DEAR  ANNIE, — It  affords  me  great  pleasure  to  in- 
form you  that  I  shall  join  your  party,  on  Wednesday 
evening  next. 

JANE  HORTON. 

Spring  Street,  Saturday  afternoon. 


Invitation   to   a   Surprise  Party. 

DEAR   ANNA,— A  surprise  party  is  getting   up,   for 
Mary.     Join  us,   and  be   at  our  house  by  7-30   P.    M. 

Monday  evening. 

NELL  DARKER. 


To    Join   a  Pic-nic. 
DEAREST   KATE, — All  being  well,  and  Tuesday  a  fine 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  3 1 7 

day,  we  and  a  few  more  friends,  are  organizing  a  Pic-nic 
Party,  for  Staten  Island ;  may  we  anticipate  the  pleasure 

of  your  company  ?     We  start  at  9  A.  M. 

ELLA  ADAMS. 


GENERAL    DIRECTIONS    AS  TO    LETTER- 
WRITING. 


In  writing  Letters,  it  is  necessary  to  make  the  style 
clear,  elegant  and  appropriate,  for  all  subjects ;  vivacity  01 
discourse  forces  us  frequently  to  sacrifice  happy  though 
tardy  expressions,  to  the  necessity  of  avoiding  hesitation  ; 
but  what  is  thus  an  obstacle  in  speaking,  does  not  in- 
terfere with  the  use  of  the  pen.  We  ought,  therefore, 
to  avoid  repetition,  erasures,  insertions,  omissions,  and  con- 
fusion of  ideas,  or  labored  construction.  If  we  write  a 
familiar  letter  to  an  equal,  or  a.  friend,  these  blemishes 
may  remain ;  if  otherwise  we  must  commence  our  letter 
again.  The  most  exact  observance  of  the  rules  of  gram- 
mar is  strictly  imperative ;  an  error  of  orthography,  or 
an  incorrect  phraseology  is  not  admissable,  even  in  the 
least  careful  letter,  or  the  most  unimportant  billet.  Even 
correction  is  not  allowable,  for  besides  being  a  blemish 
to  the  letter,  it  betrays  ignorance  or  carelessness  of  the 
party  writing  it.  The  choice  of  materials  for  writing, 
without  being  very  essential,  is  yet  necessary;  to  write 
on  very  coarse  paper,  is  allowable  only  for  the  most  in- 
digent ;  to  use  gilt-edged  and  perfumed  paper  for  letters 
of  business,  would  be  ridiculous. 

Many  distinguished  people,  however,  reasonably  prefer 
simplicity  in  this  thing,  and  make  use  of  very  beautiful 
paper,  but  yet  without  ornament. 


118  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

It  is  extremely  impolite  to  write  upon  a  single  leaf  of 
paper,  even  if  it  is  a  billet ;  it  should  be  always  double, 
although  we  write  only  two  or  three  lines. 

It  is  as  indispensable  to  answer  when  you  are  written 
to  as  when  you  are  spoken  to,  and  the  indolence  which  so 
many  correspondents  allow  in  themselves,  in  this  respect,  is 
an  incivility.  And  if,  after  all,  they  decide  to  answer,  they 
begin  by  apologies  so  often  renewed,  that  they  become 
common-place.  We  must  use  much  care  that  these  ex- 
cuses may  not  appear  ridiculous.  Conciseness  and  some 
new  terms  of  expression,  are,  in  this  case,  indispensable. 
The  same  observation  is  applicable  in  making  use  of  re- 
proving terms. 

Letters  supply  the  place  of  visits,  in  bestowing  pres- 
ents, or  on  occasions  of  marriages,  funerals,  &c. ;  and  to 
neglect  to  write  in  such  cases,  is  gross  impoliteness. 

Two  persons  should  not  write  in  the  same  letter  by  one 
writing  upon  the  first,  and  another  upon  the  second  leaf, 
except  on  very  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  correspon- 
dent. The  language  of  men  who  write  to  ladies,  ought 
always  to  have  a  polish  of  respect,  with  which  the  latter 
ought  not  to  dispense  in  answering  ;  but  on  occasions  of 
great  ceremony,  a  lady  may  address  to  a  man,  such  phrase 
as  "I  have  the  honor  to  be,"  &c.,  while  he  should  use  the 
most  respectful  terms,  as  "  Deign,  madam,  to  allow  me ;" 
"  Allow  me  the  honor  of  presenting  you  my  respects,"  &c. 

You  may  use  a  lofty  style  towards  persons  to  whom 
you  owe  respect;  an  easy,  tempting,  or  even  jesting  style 
towards  a  friend  ;  and  a  courteous  style  towards  one  an- 
other generally. 

If  you  have  many  subjects  to  treat  of  in  the  same  let- 
ter, commence  with  the  most  important ;  for  if  the  person 
to  whom  you  write  is  interested  while  reading  it,  he  will 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WBJTEK.  119 

be  the  more  impatient  to  resume  its  perusal,  however 
little  interesting  he  may  find  it. 

It  is  useful  and  convenient  to  begin  a  new  paragraph 
at  every  change  of  the  subject.  After  having  written 
"  Sir,"  or  "  Madam,"  at  the  top  of  the  letter,  we  should 
not  commence  with  one  of  these  phrases  :  "  Sir,"  "  Mad- 
am,"— "Your  sister  has  written  me  thus."  We  should 

say,  u  I  understand  by  a"  letter  which  Madam ,  your 

sister,  has  written  me." 

Take  care,  also,  when  writing  to  a  person  of  great  con- 
sideration, not  to  make  compliments  to  any  one,  but  write 
to  this  third  person  whatever  you  wish  him  to  know. 


PUNCTUATION. 


To  render  a  letter  intelligible,  it  is  necessary  to  pay  at- 
tention to  the  stops,  or  marks,  which  denote  when  a  pause 
should  be  made  by  the  reader.  These  marks  are — the 
comma  (,)  the  semicolon  (;)  the  colon  (:)  the  period  or  full 
stop  (.)  the  note  of  admiration  (!)  and  the  note  of  interro- 
gation (?). 

A  comma  denotes  that  a  short  pause  is  to  be  made,  as 
in  the  following  cases :  Two  or  more  substantives,  adject- 
ives, &c.,  immediately  succeeding  each  other,  require  a 
comma  after  each ;  as,  "  She  is  young,  amiable,  and  pret- 
ty ;"  but,  if  joined  by  a  conjunction,  the  comma  is  not 
needed ;  as,  "  She  is  an  industrious  and  frugal  woman." 
If  an  admonition  is  made  to  a  person,  the  noun  requires 
a  comma  before  and  after  it;  as,  "Remember,  boy,  what 
thou  hast  heard."  Many  adverbs  should  have  a  comma 
before  and  after  them,  as  perJiaps,  before,  &c. 

A  semicolon  requires  a  longer  pause  than  a  comma,  but 


120  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

denotes  that  something  else  is  to  follow  before  the  whole 
idea  can  be  expressed.  As,  "  A  boorish  air  is  but  a  trivial 
defect ;  yet,  trivial  as  it  is,  it  is  enough  to  render  a  person 
unwelcome."  Or  it  is  used  to  distinguish  those  members 
of  a  sentence,  though  less  nearly  joined  than  those  divid- 
ed by  commas,  are  not  so  independent  as  those  marked 
by  a  colon ;  thus,  "  The  way  of  the  wicked  leads  to  death ; 
that  of  the  righteous  to  life  everlasting." 

A  colon  implies  that  the  idea  is  fully  expressed,  but  that 
something  else  follows  for  the  purpose  of  giving  still  more 
force  to  the  author's  meaning ;  or  casting  additional  light 
upon  it,  thus,  "  This  is  your  triumph :  it  is  my  shame." 
Quotations  should  be  preceded  by  a  colon  :  as,  "  a  popu- 
lar author  says  :  The  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword." 

The  period  or  full  stop  ends  the  sentence,  as  u  Give  me 
the  book.  Let  us  go  home."  It  is  also  placed  after  all 
abbreviations,  as :  "  N.  Y.  New  Tori:,  A.  D.  Anno  Domini, 
Fred.,  Jno. 

A  note  of  admiration  is  used  to  show  that  lively  emo- 
tion is  expressed,  as  :  "  Oh  !  Virtue  !  how  lovely  thou 
art !" 

A  note  of  interrogation  is  placed,  at  the  end  of  every 
question,  as :  "  Have  you  seen  my  brother  ?  How  late  ?M 

Other  marks  are  used  in  writing  which  need  explana- 
tion. The  dash  ( — )  is  used  when  the  sentence  is  abrubt- 
ly  broken  off  ;  thus,  "  Exactly  so — a  wonderful  young 
man  !"  The  parenthesis  (  )  is  used  to  enclose  part  of  a 
sentence  which  may  be  left  out  without  spoiling  the 
sense;  as  "Let  us  hear  from  all  (including  Ellen)  when 
you  write  again."  The  apostrophe  (')  is  used  to  denote 
the  possessive  case,  or  to  abbreviate  a  word  ;  thus  "  Fred- 
erick's book,  thro'  for  through."  The  caret  (A)  is  used 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER.  121 

for  the  purpose   of  showing   something   omitted ;  thus, 

grave, 
"Most  reverend,  and   potent  seignors."     The  liyplien  is 

used  for  all  compound  words ;  thus  "  self-glorification." 
.The  asterisk  (*)  is  used  to  refer  to  notes,  as  arc  also 
the  following  signs :  f,  J,  ||,  §  and  IF.  The  index  (IJEIF8) 
points  out  anything  worthy  of  especial  notice. 

Unless  you  attend  to  the  punctuation,  serious  mistakes 
may  be  made  by  the  individual  with  whom  you  corres- 
pond :  Even  the  omission  of  a  comma  will  sometimes 
give  a  meaning  to  the  sentence  precisely  the  reverse  of 
that  which  you  intend  to  convey. 


LETTERS  ON  LOVE. 


The  love  letter  ought  to  be  more  easy  to  write  fiian  any 
other,  premising  always  that  the  writer  is  really  under  the 
influence  of  the  grand  passion.  Upon  first  addressing  the 
object  of  your  regard,  there  should  be  no  prudent  hesita- 
tion about  committing  yourself  too  far.  You  either  love 
the  fair  being  whom  you  address,  or  you  do  not.  If  you 
are  not  decided  upon  that  point,  you  do  wrong  to  write 
at  all ;  but  if  you  earnestly  desire  to  unite  your  destiny 
with  hers,  you  must,  in  the  first  instance,  give  her  to  un- 
derstand that  you  entertain  for  her  a  sincere  and  earnest 
admiration. 

Your  letters  should  express  respect  blended  with  exalt- 
ed and  overpowering  passion,  and  this  applies  more  par- 
ticularly to  your  first  letter.  A  tame,  hesitating  lover 
cannot  make  a  strong  impression  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
gentle  sex.  The  writer  must  show  the  woman  of  his 
choice  that  his  love  is  too  real  and  too  violent  to  be  pru- 


122  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WHITER. 

dent,  or  to  have  any  place  for  a  selfish  fear  of  compro- 
mising himself.  He  must  compromise  himself,  fearlessly 
and  thoroughly,  in  his  first  address  to  her,  and  have  his 
mind  made  up  to  stand  the  hazard  of  the  die  •  for  the 
first  thing  a  man  has  to  do  when  disclosing  his  love  for  a. 
woman,  is,  to  convince  her  that  he  does  love  her,  and  that 
he  loves  her  a  great  deal,  and  her  alone. 

Let  this  be  the  aim  of  your  letters  ;  speak  just  as  you 
feel,  and  speak  out  all  that  you  feel,  in  straight-forward, 
simple,  honest  language — which  is  always  the  language 
of  strong  emotion — and  if  she  be  a  virtuous  woman, 
whose  heart  has  not  been  hackneyed  by  the  arts  of  co- 
quetry, she  will  know  how  to  estimate  your  sincerity  and 
your  devotion. 

It  is  best  to  use  gilt-edged  paper,  and  of  a  fine  quality ; 
write  in  good  hand  if  possible ;  fold  and  seal  your  mis- 
sive neatly,  and  direct  it  in  a  bold  plain  manner,  that  it 
may  not  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  wrong  person,  and  ex- 
pose your  lady-love  to  the  jeers  and  malicious  remarks  of 
idle  and  heartless  woiidings. 


LETTER  CXXVI. 

From  a  Gentleman  to  a  Lady  witJi  whom  lie  is  in  love. 

MADAM, — I  have  three  times  attempted  to  give  you  a 
verbal  relation  of  the  contents  of  this  letter ;  but  my 
heart  as  often  failed.  I  know  not  in  what  light  it  may 
be  considered,  only  if  I  can  form  any  notion  of  my  own 
heart  from  the  impression  made  on  it  by  your  many  ami- 
able accomplishments,  my  happiness  in  this  world  will,  in 
a  great  measure,  depend  on  your  answer.  I  am  not  pre- 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  123 

cipitate,  inaclam,  nor  would  I  desire  your  hand  if  your 
heart  did  not  accompany  it.  My  circumstances  are  inde- 
pendent, my  character  hitherto  unblemished,  of.  which 
you  shall  have  the  most  undoubted  proof.  You  have  al- 
ready seen  some  of  my  relations  at  your  aunt's  in 

street,  particularly  my  mother,  with  whom  I  now  live. 
Your  aunt  will  inform  you  concerning  our  family,  and  if  it 
is  to  your  satisfaction,  I  shall  not  only  consider  myself  ex- 
tremely happy,  but  shall  also  make  it  the  principal  study 
of  my  future  life,  to  spend  my  days  in  the  company  of 
her  whom  I  do  prefer  to  all  others  in  the  world.  I  shall 
wait  for  your  answer  with  the  utmost  impatience. 
And  am,  madam, 

Your  real  admirer, 


LETTER  CXXYII. 

The  Ladtfs  answer. 

SIR, — I  received  your  letter  last  night,  and  as  it  was  on 
a  subject  I  had  not  yet  any  thoughts  of,  you  will  not  won- 
der when  I  tell  you  I  was  a  good  deal  surprised.  Although 
I  have  seen  and  familiarly  conversed  with  you  at  different 
times,  yet  I  had  not  the  most  distant  thoughts  of  your 
making  proposals  of  such  a  nature.  Some  of  your  sex 
have  often  asserted  that  we  are  fond  of  flattery,  and  very 
much  pleased  with  praise  ;  I  shall  therefore  suppose  you 
one  of  that  class,  and  excuse  you  for  those  encomiums 
bestowed  upon  me  in  your  letter :  but  I  am  afraid  were  I 
to  comply  with  your  proposals,  you  would  soon  be  con- 
vinced that  the  charms  you  mention,  and  seem  to  value 
so  much,  are  merely  exterior  appearances  which  like  the 


124  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

summer's  flower,  will  very  soon  fade,  and  all  those  mighty 
professions  of  love  will  end,  at  last,  either  in  indifference, 
or  which  is  worse,  disgust.  My  worthy  guardian,  Mr. 

,  is  now  at  his  seat  at ,  and  his  conduct  has  been 

so  much  like  that  of  a  parent,  that  I  do  not  choose  to 
take  one  step  in  an  affair  of  such  importance  without  his 
consent  and  approbation.  An  appearance  of  sincerity 
runs  through  your  letter,  but  there  is  one  particular 
to  which  I  have  a  very  strong  objection ;  you  say  that 
you  live  with  your  mother,  yet  you  do  not  say  that  you 
have  either  communicated  your  sentiments  to  her  or  to 
your  other  relations.  I  must  freely  and  honestly  tell  you, 
that  as  I  would  not  disoblige  my  own  relations,  neither 
would  I,  on  any  consideration,  admit  of  any  addresses 
contrary  to  the  inclinations  of  yours.  If  you  can  clear 
up  this  to  my  satisfaction,  I  shall  send  you  a  more  explic- 
it answer,  and  am,  sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 


LETTER   CXXVIII. 

Answer   to   the  preceding. 

DEAR  MADAM, — I  return  you  a  thousand  thanks  for 
your  letter,  and  it  is  with  the  greatest  pleasure  I  can  clear 
up  to  your  satisfaction  the  matter  you  doubted  of.  Be- 
fore I  wrote  to  you  I  communicated  the  affair  to  my  two 
cousins,  but  had  not  courage  enough  to  mention  it  to  my 
mother,  but  that  is  now  over,  and  nothing,  she  says,  would 
give  her  greater  pleasure  than  to  see  me  married  to  a 
young  lady  of  your  amiable  character ;  nay,  so  far  is  she 
from  having  any  objection,  that  she  would  have  waited 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  125 

on  you  as  bearer  of  this,  had  I  not  persuaded  her  against  it, 
as  she  has  been  these  three  days  afflicted  with  a  severe 
cold,  and  I  was  afraid  that  if  she  ventured  abroad  so  soon 
it  might  be  attended  with  dangerous  consequences.  But 
to  convince  you  of  my  sincerity,  she  has  sent  the  enclosed, 
written  with  her  own  hand ;  and  whatever  may  be  the 
contents,  I  solemnly  assure  you  I  am  totally  ignorant,  ex- 
cept that  she  told  me  it  was  in  approbation  of  my  suit. 
If  you  will  give  me  leave  to  wait  on  you,  I  shall  then  be 
able  to  explain  things  more  particularly. 

I  am,  dear  madam,  your  real  lover, 


LETTER   CXXIX. 

From  the    Gentleman's   Mother   to   the  Lady. 

DEAR  Miss, — If  you  find  anything  in  these  lines  im- 
properly written  you  will  candidly  excuse  it,  as  coming 
from  the  hands  of  a  parent,  in  behalf  of  an  only,  beloved, 
and  dutiful  son. 

My  dear  Charles  has  told  me  that  you  have  made  such 
an  impression  on  him,  that  he  knows  not  how  to  be  hap- 
py in  any  one  else,  and  it  gives  me  great  happiness  to  find 
that  he  has  placed  his  affections  on  so  worthy  an  object. 
Indeed  it  has  been  my  principal  study  to  instruct  him  in 
the  principles  of  our  holy  religion ;  well  knowing  that 
those  who  do  not  fear  God  will  never  pay  any  regard  to 
domestic  duties.  His  father  died  wiien  his  son  was  only 
ten  months  old,  and  being  deprived  of  the  parent,  all  my 
consolation  was  that  I  had  his  image  left  in  the  son.  I  nurs- 
ed him  with  all  the  tenderness  possible,  and  even  taught 


126  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WBITER. 

him  to  read  and.  write.    When  lie  was  of  a  proper  age  1  sen 
him   to   a  boarding  school,  and   afterwards  to  college 
Whilst  he   w^as  prosecuting  his  studies,  I  daily  recom- 
mended him  to  the  care  of  that  God  whose  eyes  behold  all 
Ids  creatures,  and  will  reward  and  punish  according  to  their 

merit.     Ever  since  his  return  from. he  has  resided 

constantly  with  rae,  and  his  conduct  to  every  one  with 
whom  he  has  had  any  connexion  has  been  equal  to  my 
utmost  wishes.  At  present,  my  dear  girl,  I  am  in  a  very 
sickly  condition,  and  although  I  have  concealed  it  from 
him,  yet,  in  all  human  probability,  my  time  in  this  world 
will  not  be  long.  Excuse  the  indulgent  partiality  of  a 
mother,  vfhen  I  tell  you  it  is  my  real  opinion  you  can  nev- 
er place  your  affection  on  a  more  worthy  young  man  than 
my  son.  He  is  endowed  with  more  real  worth  than  thou- 
sands of  others  w^honi  I  have  known  ;  and  I  have  been 
told  of  instances  of  his  benevolence  which  he  has  indus- 
triously concealed.  I  have  only  to  add  further,  that  the 
only  worldly  consideration  now  upon  my  mind  is  to  see 
him  happily  married,  and  then  my  whole  attention  shall 
be  fixed  on  that  place  where  I  hope  we  shall  all  enjoy 
eternal  felicity. 

I  am,  dear  Miss, 

Your  sincere  well  wisher, 


LETTER  CXXX. 

The  Answer. 

MADAM, — I  will  excuse  the  fondness  of  a  tender  mother 
for  her  only  child.  Before  I  received  yours  I  had  heard 
of  the  unaffected  piety  and  the  many  accomplishments  of 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  127 

.your  son,  so  that  I  was  in  no  ways  surprised  at  what  you 
said  concerning  him.  I  do  assure  you,  madam,  that  I 
would  prefer  an  alliance  with  you  before  even  nobility  it- 
self, and  I  think  it  must  be  my  own  fault  if  I  ever  repent 
calling  you  mother.  I  was  going  to  say,  that  you  had 
known  but  few  pleasures  in  this  life,  to  be  deprived  of 
your  husband  so  soon,  and  the  rest  of  your  life  spent  un- 
der so  many  infirmities.  But  your  letter  convinces  me 
that  you  have  felt  more  real  pleasure  in  the  practice  of 
virtue,  and  resignation  to  the  Divine  "Will,  than  ever  can 
be  had  in  any,  nay,  even  the  greatest  temporal  enjoy- 
ments. I  have  sent  enclosed  a  few  lines  to  your  son,  to 
which  I  refer  you  for  a  more  explicit  answer, 
I  remain,  your  sincere  well  wisher, 


LETTER  CXXXI. 

Tlie  young   Lady   to   the  young  Gentleman. 

SIR, — I  received  yours,  together  with  one  enclosed  from 
your  mother,  and  congratulate  you  on  the  happiness  you 
have  had  in  being  brought  up  under  so  pious  and  indul- 
gent a  parent.  I  hope  that  her  conduct  will  be  a  pattern 
for  you  to  copy  after,  in  the  whole  course  of  your  future 
life ;  it  is  virtue  alone,  sir,  which  can  make  you  happy. 
With  respect  to  myself,  I  freely  acknowledge  that  I  have 
not  at  present  any  reason  to  reject  your  offer,  although  I 
cannot  give  you  a  positive  answer  until  I  have  iirst  con- 
sulted with  my  guardian.  Monday  next  I  set  out  for  his 

seat  at ,  from  thence  you  may  be  sure  of  hearing 

from  me  as  soon  as  possible,  and  am 

Your  sincere  well  wisher, 


128  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

LETTEE  CXXXII. 

From    the  same. 

SIR, — In  my  last  I  told  you  that  you  should  hear  from 
me  as  soon  as  possible,  and  therefore  I  now  sit  down  to 
fulfill  my  promise.  I  communicated  your  proposal  to  Mr. 

,  who,  after  he  had  written  to  his  correspondent 

in ,  told  me  as  follows  : 

"  Miss,  I  have  inquired  concerning  the  young  gentleman, 
and  the  information  I  have  received  is  such,  that  I  not 
only  approve  of  your  choice,  but  must  confess  that  if  I 
did  not  do  everything  in  my  power  to  forward  your 
union,  I  should  be  acting  contrary  to  the  request  of  your 
father,  when  he  lay  on  his  death  bed.  You  may,"  said 
he,  "  communicate  this  to  your  lever  as  soon  as  you  please, 
and  may  every  happiness  attend  you  both  in  time  and 
eternity." 

And  now,  sir,  have  I  not  told  you  enough  ?  Some,  per- 
haps, might  think  too  much  ;  but  I  am  determined  to  be- 
gin with  as  much  sincerity  as  I  could  wish  to  practice 
if  standing  in  the  presence  of  my  Maker.  To  expect  the 
same  from  you  is  reasonable  ;  I  look  for  it,  and  shall  be 
very  unhappy  if  disappointed.  But  I  will  hope  for  the 
best,  and  doubt  not  but  the  religious  education  bestowed 
on  you  by  your  worthy  mother,  will  operate  on  the  whole 
of  your  future  conduct  in  life.  You  may,  therefore,  lay 
aside  the  tedious  formality  of  courtship  and  write  to  me 
as  one  with  whom  you  mean  to  spend  your  time  in  this 
world. 

Ever  since  my  arrival  here,  my  time  has  been  spent  in 
visiting  the  woods,  the  fields  and  cottages,  meditating  on 
the  unbounded  goodness  of  the  Almighty  Creator.  How 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WHITER.  129 


infinite  is  his  wisdom!  how  unbounded  his  liberality! 
I]  very  thing  in  nature  conspires  to  exalt  his  praise,  and 
acknowledge  with  gratitude  their  dependence  upon  him. 
But  I  will  not  tire  you  with  such  dull  descriptions  of  real 
beauties.  Present  my  sincere  respects  to  your  worthy 
mother.  I  hope  she  gets  better  of  her  disorder,  and  be 
assured  that  I  am 

Yours  and  hers  with  the  greatest  affection, 


LETTER   CXXXIII. 

From  a  young    Gentleman,    in   expectancy    of  an  estata 

from  a  penurious   Uncle,  to  a  young  Lady  of  small 

fortune,   desiring  her  to   elope  with  him. 

MY  DEAR  MARIA, — My  uncle^s  laying  his  injunctions 
upon  me  not  to  see  you  any  more,  has  only  served  to  add 
fuel  to  my  passion.  I  cannot  live  without  you,  and  if 
you  persist  in  refusing  to  comply,  I  am  miserable  forever. 
I  pay  no  regard  to  his  threatenings,  when  put  in  compe* 
tition  with  the  love  I  have  for  you.  Do  not  be  afraid  of 
poverty;  if  he  should  continue  inexorable,  I  have  still 
education  suilicient  to  procure  a  genteel  employment  in 
one  of  the  public  offices,  where  I  may  rise  to  preferment. 
Therefore,  if  ever  you  loved  me,  let  me  beg  that  you  will 
not  make  me  any  longer  unhappy.  Let  me  entreat  3*011 
by  all  that  is  clear,  that  you  will  comply  with  my  request, 
and  meet  me  at  six  on  Sunday  evening,  at  the  back 
door  of  the  garden,  wrhere  a  carriage  will  be  ready.  I 
will  fly  on  the  wings  of  love  to  my  charmer,  and  be  hap- 
py in  her  embraces  forever. 

I  remain  your  dear  lover, 


130  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

LETTER    CXXXIV. 

Tlie   lAttl^'s  prudent   answer. 

SIR, — Though  thoroughly  conscious  in  this  act  I  make 
a  breach  of  those  laws  said  to  be  laid  down  for  lovers, 
especially  such  of  our  sex  as  would  rather  be  celebrated 
for  a  romantic  turn  of  mind,  than  for  what  is  more  pre- 
ferable, a  prudent  decorum,  yet  I  cannot  be  persuaded, 
there  may  occur  such  a  crisis,  as  may  make  it  consistent 
with  the  strictest  rules  of  honor  and  justice,  which  at  least 
ought  to  be  put  in  the  balance,  if  not  outweigh  whatever 
custom  may  prescribe.  That  such  a  crisis  now  exists, 
your  letter,  and  former  concurring  testimonies  make  man- 
ifest. For  I  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  your  integrity 
to  doubt  their  truth  ;  and  believe  me  when  I  assure  you 
most  solemnly,  I  place  their  validity  to  that  account,  and 
not  to  mistaken  notions  or  consciousness  of  my  own  merit. 
Xo,  sir,  it  is  from  a  too  sensible  conviction  of  your  own 
injurious  error  of  your  passion,  I  have  been  induced  to 
commit  this  violence  to  my  sex.  I  had  almost  made  my 
sentiments  to  conjure  you  to  desist,  ere  it  be  too  late,  in 
the  pursuit  of  a  passion,  that  cannot  but  bring  with  it 
a  train  of  inevitable  miseries,  since  it  must  be  attended 
with  the  violation  of  your  duty  to  that  relation  whom 
you  arc  bound  to  pay  implicit  obedience  to  by  nature  and 
gratitude.  I  will  not  offend  your  delicacy,  in  urging 
those  of  interest  and  independency,  though  each  consider- 
ation ought  to  have  its  prevalence,  against  making  a  sac- 
rifice of  it  to  an  impetuous  passion  for  one,  whose  single 
desert  is  that  she  dreads  your  indigence  more  than  she 

regrets  that  of  the 

UNFORTUNATE. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  131 

.  LETTER   CXXXV. 

From  a  Youth  to  his  Sweetheart. 
DEAR  SALLY, — I  have  been  long  in  love  with  you,  but 
was  afraid  to  tell  you.  When  I  go  with  you  to  the  thea- 
tre I  am  almost  like  a  fool,  and  altogether  unfit  for  com- 
pany. I  think  of  you  all  day,  and  all  night  I  dream  of 
my  dear  Sally.  I  am  well  settled  in  work  and  my  wages 
are  eight  dollars  every  week.  You  and  I  can  live  on  that, 
and  I  shall  bring  it  home  untouched  011  Saturday  evening. 
I  will  not  go  to  any  tavern,  but  as  soon  as  my  work  is 
done,  return  to  my  dearly  beloved  Sally.  I  hope  my  dear, 
you  will  not  be  angry,  for  I  am  really  in  love.  I  cannot 
be  happy  unless  you  are  mine.  I  was  afraid  to  mention 
this  to  you,  but  if  you  will  leave  an  answer  at  my  lodg- 
ings, I  will  meet  you  next  Sunday  after  dinner,  at  the 

,  when  we  will  take  a  walk  to and  drink 

tea.     How  happy  shall  I  be  to  hear  from  my  charmer ; 
but  a  thousand  times  more  to  think  she  will  be  mine. 
I  am,  my  dear,  your  real  lover. 


LETTER.  CXXXVI. 

Answer   to   the  preceding. 

DEAR  JACK, — I  received  your  very  kind  letter,  but  I 
do  not  know  what  to  say  in  answer.  Although  I  would 
be  glad  to  marry,  yet  you  men  are  so  deceiving,  that  there 

is  no  such  thing  as  trusting  you.     There  is the 

carpenter,  and  —  —  the  smith,  who  have  not  been  mar- 
ried above  six  months,  and  every  night  come  home  drunk, 
and  beat  their  wives.  What  a  miserable  life  is  that,  Jack, 
and  how  do  I  know  but  you  may  be  as  bad  to  me  ?  How 
may  I  know  but  you  like  them  may  get  drunk  every 


132        .  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

night,  and  beat  mo  black  and  blue  before  morning  ?  I 
do  assure  you,  Jack,  that  if  I  thought  that  would  be  the 
case,  I  would  scrub  floors  and  scour  saucepans  as  long  as 
I  live.  But  possibly  you  may  not  be  so  bad  ;  for  there  is 

the  braiser,  and llic  painter,  who  arc  both 

very  happy  with  their  wives;  they  are  both  home-bring- 
ing husbands,  and  have  every  day  a  hot  joint  of  meat.  I 
know  not  yet  what  I  shall  do,  but  as  I  like  to  walk  to 

I   will  meet  you  at  the  on  Sunday   after 

dinner,  and  then  we  will  talk  more  of  the  matter. 
I  am,  dear  Jack,  your  most  humble  servant, 


LETTER  OXXXVII. 

From  a  Lady  to  a   Gentleman,  complaining   of    his   in- 
difference. 

SIR., — However  light  you  may  make  of  promises,  yet 
I  am  foolish  enough  to  consider  them  as  something 
more  than  mere  trifles ;  and  as  likewise  induced  to 
believe  that  the  man  who  voluntarily  breaks  a  promise, 
will  not  pay  much  regard  to  an  oath  ;  and  if  so,  in  what 
light  must  I  consider  your  conduct  ?  Did  I  not  give  you 
my  promise  to  be  yours,  and  had  you  no  other  reason  for 
soliciting  than  merely  to  gratify  your  own  vanity  ?  A 
brutal  gratification,  indeed,  to  triumph  over  the  weakness 
of  a  woman,  whose  greatest  fault  was  that  she  loved  you. 
I  say  loved  you,  for  it  was  in  consequence  of  that  passion 
I  first  consented  to  become  yours.  Has  your  conduct,  sir, 
been  consistant  with  my  submission,  or  your  solemn  pro- 
fession ?  Is  it  consistent  with  the  character  of  a  gentle- 
man, first  to  obtain  a  woman's  consent,  and  afterwards 
boast  that  he  had  discarded  her,  and  found  one  tnors 


THE  LADY'S  LETTEK-WEITER.  133 

agreeable  to  his  wishes?  Do  not  equivocate;  I  have 
too  convincing  proofs  of  your  insincerity  ;  I  saw  you  yester- 
day walking  with  Miss ,  and  am  informed  that  you 

have  proposed  marriage  to  her.  Whatever  you  may  think, 
sir,I  have  a  spirit  of  disdain,  and  even  of  resentment,  equal 
to  your  ingratitude,  and  can  treat  the  wretch  with  a  proper 
indifference,  who  can  make  so  slight  a  matter  of  the  most 

solemn  promises.     Miss may  become  your  wife ; 

but  the  superstructure  cannot  be  lasting  which  is  built  on 
such  slight  foundation.  I  leave  you  to  the  sting  of  your 
own  conscience.  I  am  the  INJURED. 


CONCLUDING    OBSERVATIONS. 


Some  few  general  remarks  on  very  simple  matters — 
which  are  nevertheless  of  much  importance  in  the  trans- 
actions of  every-day  life — may  be  advantageously  append- 
ed to  the  specimens  already  laid  before  the  reader. 

I.  There  is  great  judgment  required  in  using  "  Sir,7' 
0/1,  "  Dear  Sir,"  especially  in  addressing  a  person  of 
superior  worldly  position  to  yourself.  Always  reflect 
whether  you  are  on  such  terms  with  the  person  to  whom 
you  write  as  to  warrant  your  using  "  Dear,"  0r,  "  My 
dear,"  before  the  more  retiring  phrase  of  address. 

At  the  same  time,  the  use  of  "  Dear  Sir,"  even  towards 
a  stranger,  is  considered  a  graceful  manner  of  addressing 
an  inferior ;  but,  in  responding  to  this,  it  would  be  prefer- 
able to  avoid  too  much  familiarity  at  first.  A  golden 
rule  in  such  matters  is,  that  nothing  is  lost  by  too  much 
modesty,  while  nothing  gives  so  much  offence  as  officious 
familiarity. 


134  THE  LADY'S  LETTER- WRITER. 

"  Reverend  and  dear  Sir"  is  a  frequent  address  from 
one  clergyman  to  another,  with  whom  he  is  supposed  to 
have  little  acquaintance  beyond  that  of  being  in  the  same 
profession.  "  Dear  sir,"  is  afterwards  adopted,  when  one 
or  two  letters  have  passed  between  the  parties. 

"  Dear  Sir,"  is  frequently  used  in  transactions  between 
gentlemen  and  their  tradesmen ;  but  such  use  must  be 
guided  by  the  good  sense  of  both  parties.  It  must  also 
be  considered,  that  the  position  and  character  of  many 
tradesmen  render  them  fully  on  a  par  with  many  profes- 
sional or  independent  persons. 

"  Honored  Sir,"  though  somewhat  antiquated,  is  still 
frequently  used,  either  in  addressing  a  person  in  very  ad- 
vanced years,  a  parent,  a  person  to  whom  we  have  been 
under  great  obligations,  or  in  an  appeal  from  a  poor  per- 
son to  a  rich  and  powerful  one. 

Nearly  the  same  rules  apply  to  letters  addressed  to  per- 
sons of  the  other  sex. 

II.  Never  send  a  note  to  a  person  who  is  your  superior, 
unless  it  be  upon  a  very  slight  and  indifferent  matter.     In 
asking  a  favor  of  an  intimate  friend,  address  him  in  the 
first  person. 

III.  Do   not  take  bad   writing  for  freedom  of  style. 
Whatever  pleasure  your  friends  may  derive  from  reading 
your  letters,  you  have  no  right  to  suppose  that  they  have 
time  for  the  study  of  hieroglyphics. 

IV.  And,  finally,  remember  that  whatever  you  write 
is  written  evidence  either  of  your  good  sense  or  your  folly, 
your  industry  or  carelessness,  your  self-control  or  impa- 
tience.    What  you  have  once  put  in  the  letter-box,  may 
cost  you  lasting  regret,  or  be  equally  important  to  your 
whole  future  welfare.     And,  for  swell  grave  reasons,  tlwrik 
'before  you  write,  and  think  wliilo  you  are  writing. 


SUPPLEMENTARY    APPENDIX. 


To  those  unacquainted  with  the  Grammar  of  the  Eng- 
lish Language  it  is  a  common  error  to  spell  words  of  the 
same  pronunciation  incorrectly,  considering  the  meaning 
such  words  were  intended  to  convey. 

A  careful  perusal  of  the  following  list  of  words  similarly 
pronounced,  but  spelt  differently,  will  foe  found  of  essential 
benefit  to  those  who  need  assistance  in  making  use  of  the 
right  words  in  their  proper  places. 

ARE,  An. — The  first  is  correct,  there  being  no  such  word 
as  Ar. 

AIL,  ALE,  HAIL,  HALE. — The  first  means,  to  be  unwell ;  the 
second,  a  liquor ;  third,  frozen  rain,  or  to  call  to  a  per- 
son ;  fourth,  to  be  vigorous,  as,  "  a  hale  old  man." 

AIR,  ERE,  HARE,  HAIR,  HEIR. — Air,  the  atmosphere  we 
"breathe ;  Ere  means  before,  as,  "  ere  I  go ;"  Hare,  a 
wild  animal ;  hair,  the  natural  covering  of  the  head ; 
heir,  one  coming  into  possession  of  property. 

ALL,  AWL. — All,  every  one;  Awl,  a  shoemaker's  tool. 

BEAR,  BARE,  BIER,  BEER.— Bear,  a  wild  animal,  or  to  carry; 
Bare,  naked ;  Bier,  the  frame  on  which  a  corpse  is  car- 
ried ;  beer,  a  malt  liquor. 

BORE,  BOAR. — Bore,  to  make  a  hole,  or  carried  ;  Boar,  the 
male  swine. 

BIRTH,  BERTH. — Birth,  coming  into  the  world ;  Berth,  the 
sleeping-place  on  board  a  vessel, 

BEE,  BE — Bee,  the  name  of  an  insect ;  Be  is  used  in  every 
other  instance. 


136  THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER. 

BEAN,  BEEN. — Bean,  the  name  of  a  vegetable  ;  Been  is  used 
in  every  other  case. 

CUD,  COULD. — Cud  is  a  term  applied  to  the  food  that  some 
animals  chew  twice  over ;  could  is  used  in  every  other 
case. 

CALL,  CAUL. — Call,  to  make  a  visit,  or  to  hail  or  shout  after 
any  one;  Caul,  a  covering  some  children  have  on 
their  heads  when  born. 

CURRANT,  CURRENT. — Currant,  a  fruit;  Current,  a  stream. 

DOSE,  DOES. — Dose,  a  draught  of  medicine;  Does,  to  per- 
form anything. 

DRAFT,  DRAUGHT. — Draft,  a  current  of  air,  or  an  order  f^r 
the  payment  of  mone}^  by  a  banker ;  Draught,  a  drink, 
or  drawing  a  load. 

DEAR,  DEER. — Dear,  not  cheap,  a  term  of  affection;  Deer, 
an  animal. 

EAR,  HEAR,  HERE. — Ear,  a  portion  of  the  body  ;  Hear,  to 
listen  or  understand  with  the  ear ;  Here,  in  this  place. 

FULL,  FOOL. — Full,  to  be  filled;  Fool,  a  person  not  in  pos- 
session of  his  senses. 

FOURTH,  FORTH. — Fourth,  next  after  third ;  Forth,  for- 
ward. 

FOUR,  FORE. — Four,  the  number  after  three ;  Fore,  the 
front. 

GREAT,  GRATE. — Great,  large ;  Grate,  the  place  in  which 
fuel  is  burnt  in  the  house. 

GOOD,  GUDE. — Good,  not  bad ;  Gude  is  not  in  general  use, 
but  is  Scotch,  signifying  good. 

HOLE,  WHOLE. — Hole,  to  make  an  opening ;  "Whole,  entire, 
complete. 

I,  EYE. — I,  myself,  when  used  so,  must  always  be  a  capital; 
Eye,  the  organ  of  seeing. 


Tin:  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  137 

Is,  His. — The  rule  for  the  correct  use  of  these  words  is 
this :  Where  you  can  substitute  Their  for  His,  Is 
ought  not  to  be  used  ;  in  all  other  cases  it  should. 

KNOW,  No,  Now. — Know,  to  understand  ;  No  is  used  as  a 
denial  ;  Now,  the  present  time. 

LEAVE,  LEAF. — Leave,  to  go  ;  Leaf,  part  of  a  tree. 

MORE,  MOOR. — More,  an  addition ;  Moor,  a  piece  of  waste 
land. 

NONE,  NUN. — None,  not  any  ;  Nun,  a  female  who  secludes 
herself  from  all  worldly  business. 

OLD,  HOLD. — Old,  aged ;  Hold,  to  seize  and  keep. 
PIECE,  PEACE. — Piece,  a  bit ;  Peace,  quietness. 

PARE,  PEAR,  PAIR.— Pare,  to  cut  or  peel  ;  Pear,  a  fruit ;  Pair, 
a  couple,  or  two. 

RAIN,  REIN,-  REIGN. — Rain,  water  from  the  clouds;  Rein. 
the  straps  for  guiding  a  horse ;  Reign,  the  time  a  sov- 
ereign is  head  of  the  nation. 

REED,  READ,  RED. — Reed,  a  kind  of  tall  grass ;  Read, 
sometimes  pronounced  red,  the  act  of  saying  word 
after  word  in  a  book ;  when  pronounced  red,  the  act 
has  been  accomplished;  Red,  a  color. 

SURE,  SIIURE. — The  latter  is  the  incorrect  way  of  spelling 
this  word. 

SHOULD,  SIIUD. — The  former  is  the  correct  way  of  spelling 
this'. 

SAID,  SED. — The  former  is  the  correct  way  to  spell  this 

word. 
SIGN,  SINE. — Sign,  a  token ;  Sine,  a  trigonometrical  term. 

THERE,  THEIR. — There,  in  that  place ;  when  used  before  Is, 
"Was,  or  Were,  is  always  spelt  as  above  ;  Their  means 
belonging  to,  and  is  used  when  you  can  substitute  His 
in  its  stead. 

Tow,  TOE. — Tow,  the  material  from  which  ropes  are  made. 
Too,  a  portion  of  the  foot. 


1C8  THE    LADY't;    LETTER-WRITER. 

TOUGH. — Tough,  not  tender ;  the  spelling  of  this  word  as 
Tuff  must  be  avoided. 

VAIN,  VANE. — Vain,  conceited,  proud ;  Vane,  a  machine 
which  indicates  the  quarter  from  whence  the  wind 
blows. 

VICE,  VISE. — Vice,  wickedness  ;  Vise,  a  blacksmith's  tool. 

WERE,  WARE,  WHERE,  WEAR. — Were,  a  word  used  to  ex- 
press being ;  Ware,  goods,  as  earthen  ware ;  Wear,  to 
make  use  of  clothing,  etc. ;  Where,  to  what  place. 

WRITE,  WRIGHT,  RITE,  RIGHT. — Write,  to  express -your 
thoughts  on  paper ;  Wright,  a  man's  name,  or  a  me- 
chanic ;  Rite,  a  form  or  ceremony  5  Right,  not  wrong. 

WROTE,  ROTE. — Wrote,  having  written ;  Rote,  to  say  any- 
thing off  from  memory. 

YO-J,  YEW,  EWE. — You,  yourself;  Yew,  a  tree;  Ewe,  si  fe- 
male sheep. 

As,  HAS. — As,  like  to;  Has  is  used  when  you  can  substi- 
tute Hath  for  the  word ;  as  frequent  mistakes  take 
place  in  the  use  of  these  words  care  should  be  taken 
to  apply  this  simple  rule. 

BLUE,  BLEW. — Blue,  a  color;  Blew,  having  blown. 

MADE,  MAID. — Made,  formed;  Maid,  a  female  servant.  \ 

PAIL,  PALE. — Pail,  a  vessel ;  Pale,  white. 

As  incorrect  spelling  frequently  occurs  when  it  is  desir- 
ous of  expressing  more  than  one  thine:  of  the  same  kind, 
the  few  following  rules  will  greatly  facilitate  the  writer  in 
spelling  such  words  correctly. 

1.  As  a  general  rule,  the  letter  s  added  to  a  word  meaning 
one,  will  represent  more  than  one ;    but  to  this  rule  there 
are  several  exceptions,  as,  for  instance,  words  ending  in  y 
when  the  y  has  any  other  letter  than  a,  e,  /,  o,  or  u  before 
it,  the  y  is  left  out  and  ic  used  in  its  place,  as,  lady,  ladles, 
baby,  babies. 

2,  In  words  ending  in  f7>,  ch,  x,  o,  or  s?,  e  is  added  in  ad- 
dition to  the  s,   as  church,  churches,  marsh,  marshes,  box, 
boxes,  hero,  heroes,  witness,  icitncc-ccs.     Ox  is  an  exception  to 
this  rule,  en  being  added  instead  of  es,  as,  ox,  oxen. 


THE  LADY'S  LETTER-WRITER.  139 

3.  Words  ending  in/  or/j  have  v  substituted  for  the/, 
as,  wife,  wives,  knife,  knives,  etc.,  except  when  ending  in  f\ 

4.  Some  words  are  spelt  the  same  in  both  cases,  as,  deer, 
sheep,  etc.,  in  which  instance,  by  placing  a  before  the  word, 
one  is  meant,  and  by  using  the,  more  than  one. 

5.  Some  words  are  spelt  altogether  differently,  as,  mouse, 
mice,  goose ,  geese. 

In  spoiling  words,  it  is  necessary  to  consider  well  the 
different  sounds  of  each  part  of  the  word.  Every  separate 
bound  in  a  word  must  have  in  it  one  of  the  following  let- 
ters, a,  e,  i,  o,  or  u.  Take  for  instance,  contemplate,  which 
consists  of  three  different  sounds,  con-tcm-plate  ;  there  arc 
the  letters  o,  e,  and  a,  respectively  in  each  sound  or  sylla- 
bic, as  it  is  calledy  and  each  one  gives  the  sound  to  its  syl- 
lable. In  dividing  such  words  at  the  end  of  a  line,  you 
must  not  let  the  last  letter  be  any  one  of  the  above-men- 
tioned five  letters,  but  must  divide  according  to  the 
syllable. 

Another  rule  to  be  observed  in  the  spelling  of  words 
winch  have  ing  added  to  them,  when  such  word  ends  in  e 
the  e  must  always  be  left  out,  as,  come,  coming,  divide, 
dividing. 

It  is  also  found  difficult  when  tho  letters  i  and  c  come 
together  in  a  word  to  know  which  is  to  be  placed  first. 
The  following  simple  rule  will  obviate  such  difficulty. 

When  I  and  e  follow  c  in  a  word,  the  e  is  invariably  plac- 
ed first,  as,  receive^  deceive*  conceive,  etc.,  in  other  instances 
the  '/  comoo  before  the  e,  as,  believe,  relieve,  etc. 

A  few  remarks  respecting  the  use  of  the  words  a  and  an 
will  guide  the  writer  as  to  their  proper  application. 
Words  commencing  with  any  of  the  live  letters,  a,  e,  i,  o, 
or  u  must  have  an  placed  before  them.  Other  words  mean- 
ing one  have  a  used  except  words  beginning  with  h  when 
not  sounded,  as,  hour,  honor,  herb,  humble.  These  have  an 
before  them. 

Capital  letters  are  used  when  you  begin  a  sentence;  also 
all  names  of  persons,  cities,  streets,  mountains,  rivers,  etc. ; 
the  days  of  the  week,  the  months  of  the  year,  and  when  a 
name  is  given  to  one  thing  of  the  same  kind  to  distinguish 
it  from  another  of  that  kind. 

Never  use  more  before  a  word  ending  in  er  or  most  be- 
fore one  ending?  in  st  or  cst. 


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The  sun  had  kissed  tho  meadow-grass 
And  sipped  the  sparkling  dew, 

And  daisies  raised  their  dainty  heads 
To  catch  the  rays  he  threw. 

Far  off  were  fields  of  waving  com  ; 
•j%Tc&    a        The  meadows  lay  between  ; 

And  I  could  hear  a  farm-boy's  song, 
Though  nowhere  to  bo  seen, 

He  sang  in  tones  so  blitho  and  gay 
I  paused  to  catch  each  word  ; 

And  ev'ry  note  came  clear  and  sweet 
As  caroled  by  a  bird  : 

Oh  !  the  winds  did  not  blow. 
Though  the  leaves  murmured  low, 


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While  a  tear  in  her  bright  eye  sparkled  ; 
What  sho  answered  me, 
'Neath  tho  hawthorn-tree, 

While  tho  brook  only  laughed  and  darkled 

;.' 

But  you  never  may  know 
What  she  whispered  so  low, 

With  tho  sweet  blossoms  hanging  over ;        i 
You  may  ask  the  brook, 
Who  the  hill  forsook, 

And  wan  kiK«in<r  1  ho  m-n 


N.  Y. 


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THE  HEN-PECKED  HUSBAND.  .  .  50 
HYLTON  HOUSE  AND  irs  INMATES  50 
THE  OLD  LOVE  AND  THE  NEW.  50 
'i  HE  MARRYING  MAN 50 

PUTTING  ON  AIRS.  . ,.  .  .50 


BY  LADY  C.  CAVENDISH. 

A  MARRIAGE  OF  MYSTERY  ...     50 
THE  WOMAN  OF  THE  WORLD  .  .   50 
LISA  .......................   50 

THE  DIVORCE  .............  ^   50 

MARGARET,     MARCHIONESS    OF 
MINIVER  .................   50 

THE  FALLEN  STAR  .......  ....   50 


BY  POPULAB    AUTHOBS. 

BEN  BUNTLINE  ..............  50 

DISCIPLINE  ...................  50 

FERNLEY  MANOR  ............  50 

THORNTON  ..................  50 

FANNY  HERVEY  .............  50 

TRIED  AND  TRUE  ............   25 

THE  CARDINALS  DAUGHTER.  .  .   50 
THE  YOUNG  CADET    .........   50 

ANNIL  ......................  50 

A  YOUNG  GIRL'S  CONFESSION.  .  50 
j  FANM  I>E  LACY  ............   50 

o  [  OUT  i,?  mE  DEPTHS  ..........  50 

ALMOST  A  HEROINE  ..........  50 

FLORENCE  D*J  LACY  ..........   50 

H  M  RY  BERFORD  .  .  ..........  50 

I'HJ-  MARCHIONESS  ...........  25 

JACK  HAROLD  ...............   50 

THE  CRIMINAL  .......  .  .......  25 

THE  OUTLAW  ................  .25 


THE  MATCHMAKER 50   THE  ROAD  TO  RUIN 25 

DTTMAS'S  NEW  BOOKS,      j  CAREER  OF  THE  CHAMPIONS  ...   25 

OLYMPIA  OF  CLEVES 50  j  BLACK  JOKES  FOR  BLUE  DEVILS.  25 

COUNT  DE  MAILLY 50   BOXING  WITHOUT  A  MASTER.  . .   13 

ROYALISTS  AND  REPUBLICANS  . .   50  THE  AMERICAN  HOUSEWIFE  AND 


THE  GUILLOTINE.  .  .  . 
I'IIE  PALACE  OF  ICE  . 
THE  ORANGE  PLUME 
Send  your  Order  tc? 


FM73* 


50       KITCHEN  DIRECTORY.  .  .paper  25 
'50  How  TO  COOK   AND    H9w  TO 
50       CARVJB paper  1' "> 

RADY,  22  Ann  Street,  N.  Y. 


